November 26, 2013 in Bald Eagle
Adult pair observed this morning, again perched on elevated branches overhanging the Merrimack River in Lawrence. Noticed first one down river, it then flew very slowly up river and starting to call out a bit. Usually the call out is to another eagle, and sure enough as the first eagle was landing in a new perch, it was doing so next to another adult!
November 26, 2013 in Nearby Waterbirds
The cold weather brings back some of the beautiful wintering ducks that make their winter home on the Merrimack River in Lawrence. The Buffleheads arrived about 2 weeks ago and the Goldeneyes have just arrived. They are beauties and especially if you are blessed to watch them in flight mode!
November 24, 2013 in Bald Eagle
Moments after the two adults, a subadult II flew by quickly with only timeto capture an underbelly photo — comparing to subadult from earlier in the week — marking very similar!
November 24, 2013 in Bald Eagle
Later in the morning, observed this adult perched on a branch overhanging the Merrimack River in Lawrence! A moment later another adult arrived and the two enjoyed playful flight modes for a bit!
November 24, 2013 in Bald Eagle
While checking out many of the Eagle locations in Lawrence along he Merrimack River, encountered this subadult at close range. For some reason it was not concerned about a nearby human presence with a big telephoto lens! Looks like a third year bird based on markings and whitish head coloration and eye stripe. Also, shades of yellow in lower bill and lightly in place on upper bill. Only able to view in the shade and not in direct light, but quite a treat all the same. A few added photos posted:
http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/153544265
Enjoy!
November 21, 2013 in American Kestrel
After watching the Bald Eagle show, departed by way of the playing fields next to The Essex County Sheriff’s Department Correctional Center. Noticed a small bird atop one of the ventilator fans over the former landfill area. Walked a bit closer to discover a male American Kestrel. What a beauty! It the moved to the top of the nearby baseball field backstop, and this move allowed for a nice action/landing photo. A few more photos of the Kestrel posted here: http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/153476114
November 21, 2013 in Bald Eagle
Another wonderful morning to observe the Bald Eagles along the Merrimack River in Lawrence! Stopped again with a short time frame to look for Bald Eagles. Observed one adult perched on a tree branch overhanging the river. It may have reacted to my presence at a distance of 1,000 feet, and departed downriver towards Haverhill. As it is flying away, another possible adult Eagle is seen perched on a branch farther away. Binoculars confirm a second adult Bald Eagle. Minutes later, a subadult comes cruising along the south side of the river hugging the edge of the tree branches and looking down. As it proceeds to almost over my head, it notices me watching, and does an abrupt U-turn and heads down river. Quite a treat! This one looked like it may have a bill that is starting to turn yellow, suggesting an older subadult.
November 20, 2013 in Bald Eagle
Made a quick visit to one of the Merrimack River access points to look for Bald Eagles with a few minutes to spare before going to work. As I’m getting out of the car, the high pitched call of Bald eagles was heard. Grabbed my camera to find to subadults practically overhead in playful looping flight almost too close to photograph. Again, bright later morning sun and not great angles, but a number of documenting photos in order to analyze later to help determine approximate age of these two eagles. More photos: www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/153476131
November 11, 2013 in Bald Eagle
What a week for Eagles last week!! An adult on Tuesday, subadult on Wednesday, and then a five eagles on Thursday. Two adults and three subadults were seen perched and flying around the Merrimack River in Lawrence. What an amazing show and early in the winter season. All this on the week that I depart on Friday for NYC to join our engaged 25 year old daughter for a concert at Madison Square Garden. the band we were going to see: The Eagles!!!! WOW! This adult was making large loops over the Merrimack River.
November 6, 2013 in Bald Eagle
The next day, this subadult was seen just after noontime while flying over the Merrimack River in Lawrence. It was flying slowly and then made a number of large loops. It was a challenge to see as I was looking into the bright sunshine. However, wanted to post this to document another November sighting.
