Bald Eagle Viewing December 2023

Off we go for our annual eagle viewing adventure.  December 9th, 2023 and the bald eagle count was 279.  It was a cloudy day so picture taking was a bit challenging.  We made it happen though.  I took these with my longest lens.  

A juvenile bald eagle taken through the spotting scope.  

If there is a circle the picture was taken through the spotting scope.  Lots of eagles in the trees and not many flying until later in the morning. 

This was unique.  Someone came and told us there was a mountain goat across the freeway.  He had lived in the area 40 years and this was only the second time he had seen a mountain goat.  He was pretty darn excited.  So was Mike. We got these through the spotting scope.  

One thing about using the scope is I have to change the lens to a different one or the camera doesn't work with the spotting scope. When eagles fly by and I have my shorter lens on I miss some great pictures.  Not bad though for using the lens my camera came with.  Next time we will bring my old camera and there will be no lens changing. I won't miss opportunities to get great pictures of the eagles in flight.  

This one got a fish!

Lots of pictures of the same eagle. In each picture the eagle was in just a tiny different position.  At least I think that was the case.  I just like the pictures. 

Now our traditional meal after bald eagle watching. It takes a lot of energy to stay out in the cold searching for eagles. 

This pancake took up the whole plate.  It was thin so I managed to eat it all.  Or did I?

Love!

Well, almost all of it. I had a predator waiting for whatever wasn't consumed!  Until next year!  We might go again this year.  Today the eagle count is over 400! WOW!  A record number of bald eagles!

 

Gleason's Annual Eagle Watching 2017

Well, it has become a tradition for Mike and me to head to Coeur d Alene, Idaho every December to watch the bald eagles that come to the lake.  They eat the Kokanee fish that spawn and then die in the lake.  This year the eagles were flying high all over the place.  Everywhere we looked we spotted the majestic birds.  It started out as a clear day but clouds joined us after an hour or so.  We got there bright and early.  This is a juvenile bald eagle.  No white feathers yet.  

We spent our time trying to snap as many pictures as we could.  Mike has a great spotting scope so we can see the eagles close up.  It's as if you can reach out and grab them.  It is a challenge to catch one in flight and get a picture.

There was no snow in the trees so we could spot the eagle's white heads everywhere.  They were everywhere!  At one time there were about 12 huge bald eagles flying right in front of us.

I deleted about 40 pictures.  Some duplicates, some blurry and some just to have less to blog.  It is hard to do that.  I would like to keep each and every picture.  Even if the pictures look almost the same.

I just happened to snap this picture and an eagle flew right behind the eagle I was taking a picture of.

Can you spot three eagles?

Now can you spot three?

I bet you can spot all three now.

Lots of tree branches in the way of this eagle. They don't cooperate with those who want to take pictures of them.

I heard this eagle before I saw it.  The sound the wings make is pretty incredible and pretty loud.  There were no cars on the road so there was no sound from the traffic.  All we could hear was the eagle moving it's wings.  Those who trust in the Lord will renew their faith.  They will soar on wings like eagles.  Thank you God for all you have created.  This day we were especially blessed by watching these magnificent eagles that God created.

A Christmas tree!  It's the little things.  I love Christmas!

And there he is in search of another eagle to view through his spotting scope.  What a gorgeous spot! It was cold but not too bad thankfully.

These birds were across a section of the lake.  Mike took these pictures through his spotting scope.  If this eagle didn't have white feathers he would blend right into the tree.

I snapped a picture of a juvenile eagle and a mature eagle hanging out together.

Soaring!

Lunchtime!  A nice fish for lunch!

I think this eagle is tired of watching us take pictures.  Just trying to enjoy lunch and these people keep watching me.

Mike took these through his spotting scope.

I just snapped this picture to show the birds in the trees.  Their white heads decorated the forest.

We really didn't want to leave.  Just one more picture!  We stayed for 2 plus hours.  We could have stayed longer for sure but decided to head to CDA to have lunch at our favorite spot.  

One last picture of the eagles.  Until next year.  It was a great day just being outdoors, taking pictures and trying to get the best picture and just being together.  Mike and I both love the outdoors.  What a great way to spend the day.  If you have never gone to see these beautiful eagles you should!  It is something you really have to experience to know just how amazing it is.  There were several times we had eagles flying all around us.  No shortage of eagles to watch this day.  Thank you God!  You created it all just for us.

Time to head to lunch.

The final stop before home, Jimmy's.  Breakfast and lunch served!  Until next year!  We will be back!