An early morning visit along the Merrimack River in Lawrence.  After a bit of scanning through the thick fog and mist, noticed this subadult quietly perched in one of the regular perch locations overlooking the river below!

Great news from Mass Wildlife about this subadult observed and photographed on the Merrimack River in Lawrence.  This subadult eagle has burnt orange leg bands – After Chris Martin from NH Audubon insisted on P/7 as positive leg band ID, communicated this info to Mass Wildlife staff and received confirmation on banding, with details that this eagle had been banded June 12, 2012 in Amesbury with no other previous band reports!  Also heard from local area volunteer, Sally Chandler, who had discovered the nest and was present for banding of this bird — she is thrilled with this confirmed sighting — great teamwork among all parties!

14 Photos posted:  http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/153965493

Enjoy!

Just ten minutes after watching the adult, noticed a subadult perched on the north side of the river just west of where the Spicket River empties into the Merrimack.  This is the regular perch location for the eagles and it is just across from the parking lot on the west side of the NX Stage Medical Inc. building.  Buried in the tree branches was this subadult.  It flopped around and changed perches before circling twice and then heading downriver.  The movement provided a nice moment for flight images!  Enjoy!

6 action photos: http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/153852374

On Wednesday afternoon, the younger bald eagles put on quite a show in flight up and down the Merrimack in the late afternoon sun.  The crows were out in full force and put plenty of energy into pestering the eagles, but to no avail.  The wind was just under 10 MPH from the west.  Ducks around included Common Goldeneyes, Red-breasted Mergansers and Common Mergansers.

Photos posted:   http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/153852366

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!

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!

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.

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

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.