Chris Beach photographed the action at the mouth of the Gualala River recently. A small group of Harbor Seals had a big Steelhead. One of the two mated Bald Eagles seen at the river tried to steal it away.
The Bald Eagle was not successful...this time!
Thanks to Chris for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
Desiree Palestrini recently photographed the wonderful sight of a mature Bald Eagle flying overhead, over the hamlet of Anchor Bay.
Her photo shows the snowy-white tail and head, which tells you that this eagle is mature. We have a mated pair near the mouth of the Gualala River. They have been seen mating. We hope they will nest here, an exciting development in the recovery of these majestic birds.
Thanks to Desiree for allowing me to share her photo with you here.
Eric Zetterholm was photographing one of the two Bald Eagles seen this winter at the Gualala River. The Bald Eagle made a perfect landing on a snag in the river.
Then the Bald Eagle flew over to a group of Harbor Seals that were hauled out on the sandbar of the river. Look at the eagle craning his or her neck to view the seals.
Eric couldn't believe what he saw next. The Bald Eagle picked up a long stick, flew to the seals and DROPPED the stick on the seals!
We can only speculate why the Bald Eagle did this. Was there was some food - a fish, perhaps - on the sandbar with the seals? Or perhaps this eagle just didn't like the seals being in his or her territory? Fascinating stuff!
Thanks to Eric for allowing me to share his photos with you here.
Frank Coster had his tripod and camera set up on one of the pullouts off Highway One, just above Jenner. That is where two Bald Eagles have been seen in recent years. They often fish for Pacific Lampreys, a fish that is thin and long, up to three feet long. Frank saw the Bald Eagle fly towards a Sea Lion, which had a Lamprey in its mouth.
The brash eagle then dove towards the Sea Lion, his talons extended and ready to grab his meal.
Here the Bald Eagle steals the Lamprey from the Sea Lion.
And then Bald Eagle flies off with his spoils.
The disappointed Sea Lion then dives, perhaps looking for a meal he or she can keep.
What a great series of photos! I thank Frank for allowing me to share them here with you. Frank also collaborated with me for a feature about Bald Eagles in yesterday's Press Democrat. You can read my article and see some of Frank's other wonderful Bald Eagle photos at this link: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/lifestyle/7855159-181/bald-eagles-making-a-comeback
And you can view other dramatic photos taken by Frank at this link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ynegrwr/
It's so wonderful to continue to see two mature Bald Eagles at the Gualala River. Ken Bailey photographed this one last week on Tuesday at the Gualala River.
One of the eagles likes to perch on a snag near the river mouth. You can see the snag from the north end of the Gualala Bluff Trail, behind Trink's Cafe.
Thanks to Ken for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see more of Ken's photography, including stunning underwater photography, here is his website: http://www.seadreams.org/