There are a number of reasons why I decided to take on this project. My first reason has to do with my interest in birds. This began shortly after moving to Victoria ten and a half years ago. With our house backing onto a wooded area, the chirping of birds is a familiar sound all year long. I often glance out the window to see birds of all forms in the yard throughout the day. Frequently I will pull out the Birds of Victoria or Birds of North America reference guides we have on hand. Unfortunately, the drawings in the first aren’t overly helpful for identification and the number of entries in the second is overwhelming. My second reason has to do with a photography course I took a number of years ago. Since that time I have been trying to think of a practical reason to buy a new camera. Taking pictures of birds requires a powerful zoom lens which my previous point-and-shoot camera could not accommodate. Perfect! My final reason was my desire to take on a new project to welcome in 2011. Hence, bird of the day was born.



Monday, February 21, 2011

Bald Eagle

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Description:
Large bird of prey
Adult:
Brown body
White head and tail
Large, yellow, hooked beak
Yellow eyes and feet
Immature:
Dark brown and white, mottled
White in wings in linings,
     not in flight feathers
Blackish-gray bill
Dark eyes
Yellow feet and lower legs

Listen to its call.

Taking advantage of the sunny weather on the weekend, I was wandering around Swan Lake when I saw this bird in pursuit of a gull. After much swooping and squawking, the eagle gave up chase and retired to the top of a tall pine where he remained perched for some time, surveying the area. I know it's natural for birds of prey to kill other birds for food but, I'm not ashamed to say, I was definitely rooting for the gull.

Learn more about the Bald Eagle.

Additional photos --

Bald Eagle's nest -- Victoria Golf Course
Beacon Hill Park




















Immature Bald Eagle:








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