You wildlife guys are going to be envious, I warn you. Ever come across 125–150 bald eagles in one place—right next to the highway?
Mike Plews shot the video, and sent me the link. (The only irony is when he says "A spectacular sight for anyone traveling down Interstate 29 today." Seems to me this is just the sort of thing that people would drive right past on the freeway with no idea of what they're missing. And if you don't see it, it isn't there.)
Shot with a Sony EX3 with a Fuji 14x lens with a doubler. Mike says he grabbed one of the cameras from sports because it has a bit more reach. Wildlife is not one of his everyday subjects.
Mike J.
(Thanks to Mike P.)
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Original contents copyright 2011 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved.
A congress of eagles. Seems to demean the species don't you think?
Posted by: Dale Monceaux | Tuesday, 01 March 2011 at 11:15 AM
I've only come across that many eagles at the dump, on feeding day, when a nearby homeowner throws out a bunch of halibut heads in his driveway (it's fishing country). The term "flock" becomes appropriate. My best eagle shot (here if you want) came after some ravens removed our garbage can lid. I found a big baldie eating leftover enchiladas in our driveway. It flew to a neighbor's tree and allowed me to shoot very close as it kept an eye on the can.
Posted by: John Krumm | Tuesday, 01 March 2011 at 11:25 AM
A few years ago my wife and I sat by our living room window in Vancouver on a sunny January morning. We spotted one bald eagle crossing high over the city...then another...then another...We eventually counted over fifty eagles. Quite a surreal sight, in the middle of a city.
Posted by: Rob Atkins | Tuesday, 01 March 2011 at 11:49 AM
Here's a tip: if looking for eagles, which have become more common every winter in many areas, they often winter in rural areas where large chicken and turkey farms are operating, as those places will discard dead birds outdoors, making for a ready food source. Look where the long low metal buildings are, adn wooded areas near water, and there they will be.
Bill Pearce
Posted by: Bill Pearce | Tuesday, 01 March 2011 at 11:51 AM
That's an amazing sight, but it could be cause for alarm. When creatures in nature do something unexpected there's often bad news afoot. Nature loves stability and consistency, so something like this usually means there's an upset somewhere nearby.
In possibly related news, bald eagles in British Columbia are currently so underfed that they are (according to news reports) literally falling from the sky (report: http://www.vancouversun.com/Starving+bald+eagles+weak+they+fall+from/4332314/story.html ).
Posted by: Ed Hawco | Tuesday, 01 March 2011 at 12:24 PM
A similar thing happens every year near where I grew up - Lake Red Rock in Iowa. Now they even have an event for them in March "Bald Eagle Day".
Posted by: Chad Thompson | Tuesday, 01 March 2011 at 12:25 PM
Mr Krumm rocks.
Posted by: mike plews | Tuesday, 01 March 2011 at 09:34 PM
A group of eagles is actually called a convocation of eagles. Which would make an awesome band name.
Posted by: NF | Wednesday, 02 March 2011 at 11:23 AM
There was a scene on the old Inspector Morse series when at a crime scene they were discussing what you called a group of swans (a lamentation). Someone asked if that's true what do you call a group of medical examiners?
A body.
Posted by: Mike Plews | Wednesday, 02 March 2011 at 04:48 PM