Because I think it's significant (not to mention a blessing!), I'd like to report that Gloria and I saw a mature Bald Eagle in a Redwood tree about 4 miles from the mouth, on the south side of the Russian River on Thursday, 11/18 at 7:45 a.m.
We were alerted by a very agitated and vocal gull which was flying in circles over the river in back of our house. We had plenty of time to observe the eagle through binoculars while it rested, and I took a few pix with my digital camera, despite the fact that it was a misty morning and visibility wasn't good.
Although I've seen immature bald eagles on Willow Creek road twice, I've never before seen a mature in Sonoma County.
Pix below.
photolite
11-23-2009, 08:19 PM
Excellent!
:photog:
Because I think it's significant (not to mention a blessing!), I'd like to report that Gloria and I saw a mature Bald Eagle in a fir tree about 4 miles from the mouth, on the south side of the Russian River on Thursday, 11/18 at 7:45 a.m....
soarman
11-25-2009, 07:57 AM
Very nice pics! Thanks for sharing.
I am aware of regular baldie sightings on the RR from Cloverdale to the mouth, both immature and mature. All summer long, there were regular sightings of a very large baldie between H'burg and the Wohler Br. I saw it at least 6 times....it was one of the largest baldies I have ever seen!
Often, as you witnessed, there are agitated birds in the area, which is a clue. Between H'burg and Wohler, I often look for large flocks of turkey vultures, which indicates that a large predator bird is in the area. I say 'large predator bird' because this summer I saw what appeared to be an extremely large immature baldy. Being so large, I figured it might be a golden eagle, but had never seen one on the RR before. I watched it through my binocs for quite awhile trying to look at all possible distinguishing marks, and then compared my notes w/ goldens on google image.
At that point I was fairly certain it was a golden, and several days later, I had another confirmed sighting of a golden on the same stretch of river.
Eagles of all kinds are blessings and fill us w/ a greater sense of appreciation and purpose when we see them in our backyard playgrounds.
Happy Thanksgiving to all Waccos!
Larry
chollie
11-25-2009, 11:52 AM
I don't know about Sonoma County but bald eagles are now successfully fledging young in Marin and all ages are more commonly sighted. Charlie
Geni Houston
11-25-2009, 12:39 PM
About 18 years ago, my husband and I spent a couple of weeks in Juneau and Seward, Alaska - walking, mostly boating and the highlight of all was to spot an eagle in the trees. It was difficult and rare - which made it all the more exciting to find one. Then about 2 years ago, we took some relatives from South Africa on the inland passage cruise and were giving them some things to watch for - the spout of the whale before it saw it, the ping-pong ball of the head of the bald eagle - difficult to see - high in the hills.
However, when ship docked at Juneau, the very first thing we saw were eagles sitting on the mast's of several boats in the harbor, a family teaching young to fly on the beach and probably 5 more in the tops of nearby trees.
Finally, our government dollars at work!
sd gross
11-26-2009, 09:42 AM
:thumbsup:Thanks for sharing. Part of the reason they're harder to spot in trees is the tree branches are much higher from the ground than the utility poles and ship's masts they perch on. They're also much easier to see without the natural cover a forest provides.
And since Baldies are carrion eaters (and very opportunistic), they've learned it's easier to find lunch where humans, especially fisherpeople, congregate, and where fish have washed up, or been discarded on some beach. Immatures generally have mottled plumage up to the age of 4 or 5 when they get the distinctive white head and tail, and because of their coloration, they're harder to distinguish as Baldies.
I'm very happy for your having had the opportunity to cruise the north and visit Seward and Juneau. They're two of my very favorite places (despite Juneau's persistent rain)!
stephen
About 18 years ago, my husband and I spent a couple of weeks in Juneau and Seward, Alaska - walking, mostly boating and the highlight of all was to spot an eagle in the trees. It was difficult and rare - which made it all the more exciting to find one. Then about 2 years ago, we took some relatives from South Africa on the inland passage cruise and were giving them some things to watch for - the spout of the whale before it saw it, the ping-pong ball of the head of the bald eagle - difficult to see - high in the hills.
However, when ship docked at Juneau, the very first thing we saw were eagles sitting on the mast's of several boats in the harbor, a family teaching young to fly on the beach and probably 5 more in the tops of nearby trees.