The most positive identification I can give for the raptors pictured above is that they are eagles. I *think* the top one might be a juvenile bald eagle, and I *think* the bottom bird might be a juvenile golden eagle. Adults of both species were present but had flown away before I stopped to photograph these individuals. They were perched on branches of a cottonwood tree above Disappointment Creek in Disappointment Valley. A dead deer wasn’t far away, and in addition to the eagles, magpies and ravens were johnny on the spot to clean it up (which they did in a day or less).
The sharpness definitely leaves a lot to be desired, but I wasn’t too close, and this is a heavy crop of the original image. In my own defense, I never claimed to be a bird photographer. 🙂
We have golden eagles here year-round, but the bald eagles are winter visitors. In the last several years, seeing the balds has become less frequent. They’re more frequently seen along the Dolores River and in the Norwood area.
** Particular thanks to the late Wilma Bankston for the title of this post, which is the title of her book, “Where Eagles Winter: History and Legend of the Disappointment Country,” about the early settler days of Disappointment Valley.
Spring Creek Basin Mustangs 
The pictures are great – imagine – seeing both a Golden and a Bald eagle at the same time! Amazing
I love seeing eagles of either – both – species. 🙂
Eagles of any kind are amazing birds! Glad you got these pictures!
Exactly so! And so was I … they’re not usually very “sticky.” 🙂
Good photos, TJ! Those beauties have been coming to visit our cottonwoods lately too; they often stop by while they’re wintering here. Your photo subjects do look like juvies.
That’s awesome! We’re lucky to be in a part of the country where we’re able to see them “in person,” so to speak. 🙂
Very interesting TJ! Thanks 😊
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Are they visible along the Uncompahgre River, too? I would imagine so … ?
This book is available for $20 but I can’t get it on my Kindle for less. Would love to read it.
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I’m not sure it’s a “Kindle-able” book. 🙂 You can borrow mine the next time you come to visit.
Thanks and in the meantime I’ll check with our local library to see if they carry it.
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I love to see these guys. When the cranes arrive, the eagles will, too. Sometimes they are here by now, but so far (unless they arrived last night) no cranes. I don’t know how they know but I suspect they are aware that points north are buried in deep snow and waterways are pretty much frozen. The temps have risen bringing the people out and there’s nothing I can do to stop them, but I always feel, “You haven’t earned this, you wusses…” The two ravens are still the only residents. To me these look like siblings.
Ah, the sandhill cranes! Masses and masses! … And people, too. 🙂 I don’t envy you the crowds! But they must be spectacular to see.
the cranes are amazing. People — ah… They’re just funny. A mixture of extremely cool people and real idiots. A rare bird showed up this past summer and the people at the Refuge had to put up barriers so the people wouldn’t fall in the ditches… Birders holding binoculars are half blind…
Ha. 🙂 Is it funny that that’s really kind of funny? I’m chuckling as I visualize … ! That’s where you and your pups walk? It must be wonderful to have that refuge nearby.