Switching gears – and hair for feathers – this morning, please enjoy this juvenile bald eagle that was hanging out in some cottonwood trees near (dry) Disappointment Creek.
S/he looks like s/he dipped her/his head in some of the seeps that are producing mud-water currently, but based on this illustration, I believe s/he’s a juvenile, about 4 years old.
There were no other birds around – eagles or otherwise. I was incredibly happy that the eagle was “sticky” and allowed me a few minutes to photograph him/her from my truck.
You may not have known (I didn’t!), but before Christmas Eve, the bald eagle, while a definitive symbol of the United States of America, was not, in fact, its national bird. “On Christmas Eve, President Biden signed the legislation declaring the bald eagle the official national bird.”
We don’t have a lot of bald eagles in Disappointment Valley anymore, though I’ve been seeing them all winter between Disappointment and Dry Creek Basin (on the way to Naturita and/or Norwood). (And I’ve kicked myself a million times for not having my camera those times … though it’s harder to stop in the middle of the highway than on lonely Disappointment Road!) A generation or so ago, there must have been many, as evidenced by the title of “Where Eagles Winter: History and Legend of the Disappointment Country” by Wilma Crisp Bankston, the late mother of an up-valley resident (whose brother and sister also still own land nearby).
While we have golden eagles year ’round in the Disappointment Country, bald eagles are mostly winter visitors. It’s always a treat to see any of these magnificent birds.
Spring Creek Basin Mustangs 
Beautiful, they’re so majestic! We occasionally see them flying up and down the West Dolores above our cabin and have also seen a Golden a few times.
I used to see them perched in cottonwoods along the (main) Dolores River near the old hatchery (?). You must have a great view up the West Dolores River!
yes we still see them along the main river, but according to my uncle not near as many as years ago. We have seen as many as 4 on one pass, he remembers seeing dozens at a time.
I don’t doubt that, and like your uncle, when I saw them (had to be 15+) years ago, there’d be (close to?) dozens in the trees in certain areas. Everything changes. …
Gorgeous photos, TJ! Since we have a plethora of cottonwoods on our land we get the privilege of seeing these winter guests frequently and it’s such a treat. Glad you can get a few out there!
Oh, that’s so cool and wonderful! I love to see them. Makes things seem right with the greater world. 🙂
Thank you TJ for your knowledge of nature. I just spent a quiet hour enjoying 2 Bald Eagles fishing up and down our channel. The eagles reappeared here about 10 years ago. Most of the Chain of Lakes is frozen, we have natural springs just outside our yard so the geese and mallards are able to keep some the water open. So, I have been experiencing swans, 3 types of ducks, Canada Geese, seagulls and Bald Eagles all fishing and swimming together. The eagles are not in our channel during boating season, so it is a gift to have them here now and early Spring – our messengers to our Higher Source!
That is so amazing, Marytherese! Your birds and their congregation around you and your waterways are just brilliant!
Thank you TJ for sharing your knowledge of nature. I am fortunate to have the gift of Bald Eagles in the winter and early spring. I just spent a quiet hour watching them fish with Swans, Canada Geese, Mallards, Buffleheads and Seagulls as our channel is currently open and flowing.
Gorgeous. 🙂 I can almost picture it. What a beautiful experience to be able to enjoy such quiet, peaceful, beautiful nature.
What great pictures of this majestic looking bird!
I was SO glad to get them! Usually, my pix turn out to be a blurry mess. 🙂 This eagle was very patient!
Raptors are regal.
Thanks!
Completely. 🙂 You know I’m completely jealous of your osprey. Nesting soon, I imagine?
I love seeing these guys. There’s a nest in a bunch of trees surrounding an old burned out log cabin on my way to the Refuge.
Oh, now that is completely cool. Do you get to see the adult eagles on it … and then the eaglets?! Love it!
Just the adults but later I got to see a juvenile perched on a sign at the Refuge. That was awesome. I don’t know if the eagles I saw “live” here or were using the trees and just passing through. There are usually more when the cranes are here.
Still cool. I was thrilled to see the juvenile I did (I am NO expert, so I’m basing that on what the Internet tells me!) because maybe it means her/his parents use Disappointment Valley and/or s/he was born here. 🙂
Seems likely to me! 🙂