It was so exciting to learn about a Juvenile Bald Eagle that had been sighted along the shore of Lake Ontario in Ajax, Ontario. We very pleased to find it still hanging around the same area as reported.
When first we arrived at the location, Bob and I found no sign of the eagle. Only for a friendly jogger who noticed us scouring the trees and beach, obviously searching for something, who helped us out. She inquired of us and then pointed further along the trail where “some big bird was perched in a tree”and yes it was the bald eagle.
We found the bald eagle perched in a tree, and after 30 minutes or so, it took flight.
The eagle soared above the heads of city gardeners that had been working industriously in the lakeside park to prepare plants for winter.
We were able to capture a few quick shots before the bald eagle disappeared over the farm fields to the north, and we thought our observations were over for the day.
Lo and behold, about half an hour later, the Juvenile Bald Eagle swooped in from its foray over the adjoining swamps and meadows.
While perched on an old snag, the eagle repeatedly worked bits of wood or some other matter from the end of a broken branch with its hooked beak.
Concern had been mounting over previous weeks about the ability of this Juvenile Bald Eagle to actually catch a fish.
We were thrilled when the bald eagle took flight out over Lake Ontario where it circled above flocks of birds “fishing” in the distance. It eventually cut a course toward the shoreline in Pickering and then returned once again to its favorite beach. What a surprise when it swooped in over the heads of some of its admirers.
The eagle zeroed in on a stubby branch in yet another tree where it perched with its back to the sun and appeared to ignore our presence.
After such a lengthy flight, the bird was stretching its wings and getting everything realigned.
The eagle spent an interminable length of time preening its feathers. Time was ticking, and we were soon going to have to head home.
The eagle was doing a thorough job and often came up with its beak full of feathers that the eagle had trouble to eject from its mouth. At times, it looked like the it was going to produce a pellet.
In the end, Bob and I had to take our leave of the eagle. As we strolled the sandy shore back towards our car, we continued to cast an occasional backward glance just on the off chance that the Juvenile Bald Eagle had decided to fly our way.
Frame To Frame – Bob and Jean
I believe I saw a adult bald eagle flying over the Industrial field area between Harwood Avenue and Westney Road, yesterday morning (December 11th) It made me stop my vehicle and just watch in amazement, so majestic it was ♡ I wish I had a camera to capture what I saw, to be able to confirm if it was one. The white head, dark body, and white tail feathers is what I saw, and it was much larger than a turkey vulture. I watch the red tailed hawks out here in the Don Valley and this raptor I spied yesterday was much larger. Thanks for your post here of your picture. I’ve had a look at some of your other wildlife photos – stunning!
Thanks so much, Stella, for your comment. We appreciate people sharing their own stories with us. It definitely is exciting to see a Bald Eagle, and what you describe as having seen sure sounds like an Eagle. Thanks, too, for the positive feedback about our photographs. It means a lot to hear from our viewers.
“I saw a juvenile eagle perched on a fence near Weston Road and Church Street, close to the train tracks today. It was an extraordinary sight and I will never forget it. The eagle looked exactly like the one in the photo above, but I am not sure if it was the same one. Regardless, it was exhilarating and unusual to see eagles in the city, and it felt surreal. It’s hard to believe unless you experience it. You would not believe it if you did not see it with your own eyes. Maybe the eagle came from the States.” So weird. They are huge birds as juveniles. I could not imagine the size of an adult eagle. Wowza! Just wowza!
Hi Becky. Thanks so much for checking out our blog post and sending such a heartfelt message. Yes, it is exciting to see any large bird of prey, but Bald Eagles are particularly majestic, especially the adult birds. I hope you get to see one of those, too.