- Dec 4, 2011
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Quote:
When I first saw this huge bird standing on the top rail of the park bench at the pond, I assumed that it was just a big hawk....we do have red-tails that live in the area although I have never seen one this big. It did'nt hit me that this was an Eagle of some sort until somebody else mentioned that. After recalling the markings and the talons and shape of the beak...we decided that it had to have been a Golden Eagle...too brown/dark for an Osprey and almost no white except a small amount on the underside of wings. What got my attention was the way the great bird walked...with his wings held in a big " M " shape as he strolled around like he owned the place...
The wings were much broader than his body height...he would fold them in but they were big enough to drag the ground as he walked so I am guessing that is why he carried them semi-open while walking. There had been sightings in neighboring communities of Eagles that made the 6:00 news, so we're putting 2 & 2 together, not being experts in birds of prey.
What I can tell you, is that it was very impressive and absolutely fearless. That bird looked at ME like food...and he did'nt flinch when we threw rocks at him trying to drive him off before he could kill another duck. After 2 missed attempted and a few duck feathers flying...he got bored and left his kill and has not been seen since.
With all the ponds that dried up this summer its not really a surprize to see a lake preditor come into suburbia to eat. After all, its just survival and he was here first..
When I first saw this huge bird standing on the top rail of the park bench at the pond, I assumed that it was just a big hawk....we do have red-tails that live in the area although I have never seen one this big. It did'nt hit me that this was an Eagle of some sort until somebody else mentioned that. After recalling the markings and the talons and shape of the beak...we decided that it had to have been a Golden Eagle...too brown/dark for an Osprey and almost no white except a small amount on the underside of wings. What got my attention was the way the great bird walked...with his wings held in a big " M " shape as he strolled around like he owned the place...
The wings were much broader than his body height...he would fold them in but they were big enough to drag the ground as he walked so I am guessing that is why he carried them semi-open while walking. There had been sightings in neighboring communities of Eagles that made the 6:00 news, so we're putting 2 & 2 together, not being experts in birds of prey.
What I can tell you, is that it was very impressive and absolutely fearless. That bird looked at ME like food...and he did'nt flinch when we threw rocks at him trying to drive him off before he could kill another duck. After 2 missed attempted and a few duck feathers flying...he got bored and left his kill and has not been seen since.
With all the ponds that dried up this summer its not really a surprize to see a lake preditor come into suburbia to eat. After all, its just survival and he was here first..
