The Daily Bucket is a regular feature of the Backyard Science group. It is a place to note any observations you have made of the world around you. Rain, sun, wind...insects, birds, flowers...meteorites, rocks...seasonal changes...all are worthy additions to the bucket. Please let us know what is going on around you in a comment. Include, as close as is comfortable for you, where you are located. Each note is a record that we can refer to in the future as we try to understand the patterns that are quietly unwinding around us.
January 25, 2015
Pacific Northwest
I was en route to my dentist appointment yesterday when I spied movement in a puddle next to the road. This is a time of year when all the marshes and ponds are full to overflowing, and every low spot is a puddle. Water brings birds. But this was a lot bigger than a duck. I slammed on my brakes and pulled over onto the verge as far as I could. It was a young eagle, bathing! How cool is that?!
Bald eagles are common here in the islands of the Salish Sea, I see them most days, but it is NEVER ho-hum. Soaring gracefully or perched sternly with that thousand-yard glare...I always stop what I'm doing to watch. Even the faint thin sound of their skreeking is a signal to look up. So you may be sure I didn't care if I was late to my appointment a minute or two :)
Through the window of my truck I took some photos. The eagle had evidently been bathing for some time, judging from how completely soaked it was.
Though wet, I got a good look at this eagle, and I think it is 2 or 3 years old, not a baby but not full grown either.
(All photos by me. In Lightbox...click to enlarge)
The majority of Bald Eagles are adults, since after 5 years of age they all look alike, and they live for 20-30 years. An eagle's first year is the most hazardous, with 50-70% mortality, and the older they get the fewer from their age group survives. Young eagles have a steep learning curve.
This eagle's light brown eyes and partly yellow beak is what leads me to think it is not a juvenile (aka 1st year) which has dark brown eyes and gray/black beak. An adult eagle has yellow eyes and beak, along with the more obvious white head and tail.
After shaking itself, flapping, and jumping in the water,
this youngster strode out of the puddle, settling its wet feathers.
It was walking out of my line of sight through the window, so I thought I'd back the truck up a bit to get a better view.
But looking in the rear view mirror, there was a car behind me, and a bicyclist coming alongside as well. This is a long straight stretch of road where cars can easily pass, and we don't have much traffic. Nevertheless, I had to move on. Looking behind as I got going I saw this eagle winging away towards the woods. Bath over.
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OK, your turn to report nature activity where you live. The Bucket is open!
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