A bunch of juveniles
Apr 22, 2020 11:59:10 #
It doesn't take a lot of time observing Bald Eagles to realize what thieves they are. The first two photos are of a youngster enjoying lunch he grabbed mid-air from another juv. The rest are youngsters hanging around looking for trouble. The last bird is a nearly mature 4 or 5 year old.
Apr 22, 2020 12:02:54 #
Super photos, Phil! Do you have American magpies around there? I have witnessed them attempting to steal eagle lunches often.
Apr 22, 2020 12:03:55 #
Apr 22, 2020 12:35:03 #
Apr 22, 2020 12:47:16 #
Super set. I have often wondered why the Bald Eagle is our national bird. As you show they are thieves, scavengers, bullies etc. Not things to look up to. - Dave
Apr 22, 2020 13:45:33 #
wilsondl2 wrote:
Super set. I have often wondered why the Bald Eagle is our national bird. As you show they are thieves, scavengers, bullies etc. Not things to look up to. - Dave
"The bald eagle was chosen June 20, 1782 as the emblem of the United States of America, because of its long life, great strength and majestic looks, and also because it was then believed to exist only on this continent"
https://www.baldeagleinfo.com/eagle/eagle9.html
Benjamin Franklin would have agreed with you:
"I wish that the bald eagle had not been chosen as the representative of our country, he is a bird of bad moral character, he does not get his living honestly, you may have seen him perched on some dead tree, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the labor of the fishing-hawk, and when that diligent bird has at length taken a fish and is bearing it to its nest for the support of his mate and young ones, the bald eagle pursues him and takes it from him."
Apr 22, 2020 14:23:05 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
Super photos, Phil! Do you have American magpies around there? I have witnessed them attempting to steal eagle lunches often.
Hi Linda, we do have Yellow-billed Magpies and they are as bold as crows and ravens when it comes to giving eagles grief. The are faster and smarter and know exactly what they are doing, fun to watch! I spoke with a field biologist at one of my favorite reserves about the one eyed eagle I photographed last year and she reminded me that it only takes one eye to spot another bird of pray on a kill and steal it. And so it goes....
Apr 22, 2020 14:23:48 #
NMGal wrote:
Great captures.
Thank you NMGal, I appreciate your kind words.
Apr 22, 2020 14:24:38 #
Apr 22, 2020 14:28:03 #
wilsondl2 wrote:
Super set. I have often wondered why the Bald Eagle is our national bird. As you show they are thieves, scavengers, bullies etc. Not things to look up to. - Dave
Thanks wilsounl2, thier behavior does make a good case against being a national symbol!
Apr 22, 2020 18:13:59 #
Apr 23, 2020 00:26:26 #
kpmac wrote:
An excellent set.
Thanks Ken, your comments are always appreciated.
Phil
Apr 23, 2020 02:21:41 #
Apr 23, 2020 02:49:46 #
angler wrote:
Excellent set.
Thanks Jim, hope all is well with your folks.
Phil
Apr 23, 2020 03:27:24 #
[quote=rockdog]It doesn't take a lot of time observing Bald Eagles to realize what thieves they are. etc.
Cracking shots Phil
Cracking shots Phil
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