Xpozr Loc: Mesa, AZ

Hi, UHH members,

I'm a new forum member but have been reading the forum Q & A section for almost a year now, so I think (hope) I'm fairly familiar with how things work here.

Some of you have been very helpful by answering how-to and equipment-specific questions from others that have helped me quite a bit and now I have a question / request of my own that I haven't seen asked and answered in the posts I've reviewed: Are there any members here from the Phoenix, AZ area (specifically, the east valley, around Mesa and Apache Junction) that can offer one or two decent locations for spotting and photographing bald eagles?

I routinely hike Lost Dutchman State Park on the weekends and have seen my share of deer, rattlesnakes and hawks, but never a bald eagle. I've recently been going to a section of the Salt River, near the Phon D Sutton parking area and just by chance, spotted a pair of beautiful bald eagles about a month ago, but just as I got the camera turned around, they were off and on the other side of a hill; not to be seen again. I've been back to the same site three times and just sit with my gear set up and waiting (3-4 hours at a stretch) for them to come back, but haven't seen them since. My preference would be stay close to the east valley area and although I've researched nearby bald eagle sightings and where their nests are (or have been in the past), still no luck in my last three outings. (I've seen and photographed quite a few wild horses in the area as well.)

I'm not sure if this info matters based on my request above, but I'm a novice photographer who loves taking nature shots and just took the dive into the DSLR world within the last year. I moved 'up' from a Canon SX50HS bridge camera to a Nikon D3300 and the typical 18-55 and 70-300mm kit lenses in early 2017, and because of the number of websites, YouTube videos and other instructional information I've absorbed, I graduated to a Nikon D5600 next. Due to a limited budget, I primarily carry Tamron 18-400 and Tamron 150-600mm (G1) lenses in my kit. I have my sights set on a D500 and am renting a Sigma 150-600mm Sports lens this week to see just how much of a difference I think it makes in the long range shots I take. (I wish it weren't the case, but a long range prime lens is not really in the cards.)

Any advice on a few decent sections of the east valley area I mentioned above would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

You may find some eagles in the mountains of east central AZ around Globe and San Carlos, AZ. Might be worth visiting the library for birding books that include that area or contacting an office of the state natural resource dept. Good luck!

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

Bald Eagles are primarily fish feeders, and are usually found near rivers and bays, occasionally near large lakes. There are many spots along the Mississippi flyway where they are very common. I am not at all familiar with your area, but near Savannah, IL I've counted more than twenty at one time, and a Ranger a couple of years ago told me an aerial count by his agency found over two thousand along a fifty mile stretch of the Mississippi River. I've been fortunate to find them occasionally in my back yard, which runs along about 500 yards of the DuPage River, a small tributary to the Illinois River.
They're also common around the Isle Royal National Park, and in several spots along the west coast of Canada - I've encountered very large numbers near Prince Rupert.
I think you'll be very happy with the Sigma Sport 150-600. It's a superb lens, solidly constructed, and wonderful IQ. The only down side I've found is weight.

Tjohn Loc: Inverness, FL formerly Arivaca, AZ

Good luck. Maybe try the Colorado River where there is food but not the Phoenix Megalopolis.

Wilderness Images Loc: Apache Junction, AZ.

I'm a resident of Apache Junction and hike the Superstitions regularly. Frequently I head out on the Apache Trail to Canyon Lake where I occasionally spot the elusive mated pair that has nested on the peak of a rock on the opposite side of the lake. The "Dolly" cruise passes below the rock and the guide can point out the nesting site as the boat passes. If the Eagles aren't home there's always the Big Horn roaming the rugged cliffs. The Dinner Cruise is the best time as it's approaching the end of the day and the animals become more active. If you are unfortunate enough to miss seeing the animals, there's almost always a dramatic sundown. I brought my Canon SX50 along just to have enough zoom to reach out and had some fun shooting.

Jack Olson

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crapshooter Loc: Fox, Alaska

I would make arrangment to have a boat and head to Roosevelt lake or Apache lake,I've seen the most there, they love to fish. I used to live down there ,was born there in Mesa. Went fishin all my life with father all around Arizona, Reside in Alaska now. If you really want to see and photograph Eagles bad best place to go is Alaska, I see them every day here pretty much.

bud 77 Loc: Long Beach, WA

Hi Xpozr,
Not east of Phoenix but we have so many Eagles I have kind of got tired of photographing them here on the Long Beach Peninsula in WA. state. Stop by when you get a chance.

LittleRed

I don't know if this applies in your area but up north one of the best places (sadly) to see that bird is at the local land fills ( garbage dump ). These birds are like some have posted "fisheaters" but also scavengers. Another place where we see them are the areas where road kill is present, especially if the victim is fairly large (like a deer). Having birded in your area I realize there are very few places for these large birds to go fishing, so the land fills would be a possibility. Perhaps somebody from that area can chime in on whether this is true way down south.
For example on last Saturday we checked into a large dump near Dafter Michigan (Upper Peninsula ) to check on the eagles. Count was fair to middling with close to 30 all in one large maple tree along with a few in flight checking out the dump. About 75% were adults with the remainder juveniles. With all those white heads sticking up reminded us of Christmas tree. Twas surely a sight to behold. 😁👌

LittleRed (Ron)

Xpozr Loc: Mesa, AZ

Thanks for you suggestions, everyone! I really appreciate it!

Collie lover Loc: St. Louis, MO

Alton, Illinois has a great spot for photographing eagles. That's certainly east of Phoenix.