Post by Gord on Nov 13, 2012 22:54:50 GMT -8
Got an early start and with the time change this allows for a little birding before work. Drove by Banford Road to see what was shaking. Out on some poles was a large dark eagle. My binoculars and I felt strongly it was a Golden Eagle, but I had to consult further with my scope in order to confirm it. I took a picture for fun but at the distance the bird was from me, the photo is not very conclusive requiring a certain amount of faith in my identification skills to support the claim.
However, just a minute or two later, the eagle took flight. It no doubt had the idea it was going to catch one of the thousand or so ducks that were feeding in the fields.
It went right past me with the ducks it scared up in the background
Looking at the ducks that are fleeing before it
A couple of Common Ravens went after the eagle. I like this shot with the eagle looking up at the raven and the raven looking down.
Going up to land (with plenty of advice from the ravens) and showing the trademark white band on the tail of a juvenile Golden Eagle.
Those posts have been good for raptors over the years. Ive seen Rough-legged Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle (first time today) Gyrfalcon, Peregrine Falcon, Northern Harier and Snowy Owl on those guys over the years.
In addition to over a thousand ducks, almost 200 swans were three Horned Lark flying overhead and a mixed flock of American Pipits and Lapland Longspur out in the field. I figured there were four or five longspurs among the pipits. A pair of Western Meadowlarks and a Rough-legged Hawk rounded out the more interesting sightings (no offense to the starlings and Rock Pigeons) A great birding road and in about a month, will be doing my CBC on it! ;D
More information on Golden Eagles in our checklist area at the link below.
www.fraservalleybirding.com/Species/Bird%20Accounts/Golden%20Eagle.htm
However, just a minute or two later, the eagle took flight. It no doubt had the idea it was going to catch one of the thousand or so ducks that were feeding in the fields.
It went right past me with the ducks it scared up in the background
Looking at the ducks that are fleeing before it
A couple of Common Ravens went after the eagle. I like this shot with the eagle looking up at the raven and the raven looking down.
Going up to land (with plenty of advice from the ravens) and showing the trademark white band on the tail of a juvenile Golden Eagle.
Those posts have been good for raptors over the years. Ive seen Rough-legged Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle (first time today) Gyrfalcon, Peregrine Falcon, Northern Harier and Snowy Owl on those guys over the years.
In addition to over a thousand ducks, almost 200 swans were three Horned Lark flying overhead and a mixed flock of American Pipits and Lapland Longspur out in the field. I figured there were four or five longspurs among the pipits. A pair of Western Meadowlarks and a Rough-legged Hawk rounded out the more interesting sightings (no offense to the starlings and Rock Pigeons) A great birding road and in about a month, will be doing my CBC on it! ;D
More information on Golden Eagles in our checklist area at the link below.
www.fraservalleybirding.com/Species/Bird%20Accounts/Golden%20Eagle.htm
