GeneM Loc: Upstate PA

"Immie" is short for immature Bald Eagle. Some also call them "juvies."

My wife and I made a trip over to the NY Catskills to look for Bald Eagles at the same place my son and his friend went on the last day of 2012. (See http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-86701-1.html and http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-87295-1.html)

The sun had just topped the mountains surrounding the reservoir when we reached our destination. A friend photog was already there and was taking pics of a mature and juvenile perched across the river. Scanning the trees, I spotted a half-dozen immies perched high in the branches of a tall pine tree. They sat with their feathers all fluffed up, trapping valuable body heat. It was still too cold for them to start flying. The adults were still back in the boughs near the tree trunks. There was no fishing activity yet.

We followed the road along the river, looking for a mature to get some pics of. We saw mostly juveniles for a total count of 25, of which only 5 were adults, too high in the thick pine boughs for pics. Most of the juveniles were 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 year olds.

When we got back to the reservoir, there were some immies on the ice on the opposite shore about 100-yds. away. Those are the ones in these pics. What they were doing is attempting to get at fish trapped under the ice in the shallows on the edge of the river. They take advantage of cracks in the ice and use their sharp beaks and talons to cut a hole to get at the fish. They were successful.

I shot these with my Canon EOS 50D w/70-200mm L lens + 2.0x TC II. Not the best lens combo but I had to settle for it because my son was out of town with the 100-400mm. But, it worked. It was a very nice, bright day but the shadows were harsh.

Enjoy these. Cropped and PP w/PSE8. Comments welcome.

-- Gene

More pics of juveniles: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-75563-1.html

#1


#2 - Hey! Go find your own fish.


#3


#4


#5


#6


#7


#8


#9


#10


#11 - 3-1/2 year old Immie


#12 - A down feather floats away from this preening adult Bald Eagle.

rlaugh Loc: Michigan & Florida

How great are these...good job!! :thumbup: :thumbup:

GeneM Loc: Upstate PA

Thanks. It was fun watching how they use their beaks to dig thru the thin ice. Thanks for the thumbs up and thanks for looking.

snogost67 Loc: dayton, montana

These are great.Love the eagles.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

Nice Gene!! Beautiful work.
Erv

GeneM Loc: Upstate PA

We really love the eagles, too. Glad you like these, and thanks for looking.

GeneM Loc: Upstate PA

Thanks, Erv, it was fun. Glad you like them, and thanks for looking.

jeanbug35 Loc: Jonesboro AR

determined weren't they?

GeneM Loc: Upstate PA

Oh, yes. Very determined. It was interesting to watch how they do this, and protect their interest from their friends waiting to take advantage and steal. Thanks for looking.

Sallywho Loc: Wendell, NC

Love. My dream subject, just keeping telling myself one day.

Gary ennis Loc: Traverse City MI

WOW Gene, These are AWESOME!!! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

GeneM Loc: Upstate PA

:) Keep trying. Thanks for looking.

GeneM Loc: Upstate PA

Thanks, Gary. Glad you like them. Wish you could've been there. It was fun watching them. Thanks for looking.

photophile Loc: Lakewood, Ohio, USA

Entertaining,I liked #11 most.

GeneM Loc: Upstate PA

It was very entertaining to sit there and watch what they were doing. #11 has already started showing its chocolate brown body feathers. Thanks for the pick and thanks for looking.