Bald Eagle: subadult

March 12, 2014 in Bald Eagle

While watching gulls and crows peck away at a dead carp on the ice in front of the Bashara Boathouse on the Merrimack River in Lawrence this morning, noticed a likely Bald Eagle flying eastbound from Rt. 93 direction.  Reached for camera and lost sight of the eagle.  All of a sudden it was almost right overhead.  It circled the carp feeding frenzy and then lumbered down river towards the dam in Lawrence.  A few minutes later, headed to the dam and crossed over to north side for a look back at trees and ice.  Sure enough, a subadult was on the ice just west of the dam and on the south side of the river.  It was feeding on some unknown delight.  A further scan showed a second subadult nearby.  The played a bit in aerial flight near shore and then one of them flew west and the other remained near the dam.  Nice treat on the way to work!

Bald Eagles on the Merrimack

February 26, 2014 in Bald Eagle

Made a productive roadtrip to Amesbury this morning looking for Bald Eagles mentioned in a Massbird post early in the month by Massbirder, and Amesbury resident, Kirk Elwell.  Found two adults in a tall pine tree just back from Main St. along the river.  A bit later one flew off and landed in a pine tree perch farther down river just east of Lowell’s Boat Shop.  Although overcast and dark lighting…nice views of these beauties!

Bald Eagle, adult

February 24, 2014 in Bald Eagle

While making a brief morning check along the Merrimack River, an adult Bald Eagle slowly flew upriver towards the Rt. 495 overpass on the Lawrence/North Andover line.  The eagle made a few large gentle loops and then headed off in a SW direction.  made every effort possible to capture underbody images to record the leg band but the lighting was not enough to make any certain leg band identification!

Bald Eagle, adult with antenna

February 13, 2014 in Bald Eagle

In the middle of a heavy snow day, accidentally discovered this adult perched on the north side of the Merrimack River.  To my surprise, just a short distance away, another adult was also perched.  It was difficult to capture a sharp image due to lots of small branches in the way along with heavy snowflakes that can impact the autofocus function.  It was also dark lighting conditions in the midst of the snowstorm!  What a treat to upload the photos and observe the GPS transmitter antenna on the back of this Eagle!!  No leg bands, which would allow for positive identification.

Bald Eagle, adult

February 12, 2014 in Bald Eagle

Another sunny morning visit along the Merrimack River on the North Andover side to look at one of the adults perched on an overhang!

Bald Eagle, adult & subadult

January 29, 2014 in Bald Eagle

During an unscheduled afternoon run out for a local errand, had a nice chance to observe a pair of Bald Eagles perched in a tree overlooking the Merrimack River in Lawrence just behind the ballfields located on Incinerator Rd. in Lawrence!

Bald Eagles

January 28, 2014 in Bald Eagle

After the Red-tailed Hawk disrupted the Eagles from their perch, they continued to loop around in flight as though still a bit unsettled.  It was one of those moments that you can only hope for with camera in hand.  These slow proximate flight loops in bright sunlight can offer terrific moments for action/flight images.  Such was this morning!!

8 flight photos posted:  http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/154345153

Enjoy!

Bald Eagles

January 28, 2014 in Bald Eagle

Another beautiful sunny morning looking for Eagles along the Merrimack River in Lawrence.  What a treat to observe, a juvenile, a subadult, and an adult all from location on west side of NXStage Medical building on Merrimack St.  Total of three perched in trees and then a Red-tailed Hawk caused commotion sending eagles into flight to ward off the uninvited intruder.  Eagle and hawk in last photo.

Photos posted:  http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/154345176

Enjoy!

Bald Eagle, adult

January 22, 2014 in Bald Eagle

A single adult Bald Eagle in perch overlooking the Merrimack River in Lawrence!

Bald Eagle, subadult

January 21, 2014 in Bald Eagle

Another morning visit to Merrimack River behind 350 Merrimack St. in Lawrence. Overcast skies and a single subadult quietly perched in one of the normal locations!  Likely a third year bird based on plumage and emerging white on the head.