Bald Eagles in Southern Ontario --- A real treat for me

I was pretty excited a few weeks ago to discover that a group of Bald Eagles had moved into the area along the river a few miles from where we live. I counted 3 adults and 3 juveniles over a three mile stretch of the river. Also first time out with my 200L F/2.8 and 1.4 extender combination. Light quality wasn't great and had to go to a higher ISO and do some significant cropping to get the images of the birds on the ice. Some of the images lack the sharpness of many of the photographers on this forum. I don't consider myself much of a wildlife photographer but was thrilled to get these images.They really are magnificent birds.

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All things considered you did really well and you *should* be happy with these; congrats on find

I'd be happy too. Eagles still aren't really common in my area. I saw two this morning, but they didn't fly close enough for good shots. Just got a chance to age them.

Congrats on the new find and well done on the set, they look great John.

Thanks everyone. I am happy that I have the opportunity to see them in their natural environment and to grow as a photographer. We went for a 2 hour walk along the river today and happened on another eagle. Not sure whether it is a Bald Eagle or Golden Eagle. Either way, I have lived in the area for over 15 years and it is the first I have seen them. Similar light conditions, same restrictions re: reach of the lens but found myself slowing down a little and being more conscious about exposing to the right in order to minimize some of the noise when trying to crop the images.

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Nice behavioral/feeding shots there. That's a juvenile Bald you've got there; they don't get their white heads until around 4-5 years...looks to be 2-3 here, to me

You've got some really nice shots, and I understand it being a treat.

Thanks for the help with the ID, Snydermark. I thought it was a juvenile but didn't know enough about them to say one way or the other. I don't know how long they will stay around but there seem to be enough carp along this section of the river to keep them occupied.

Very cool to see John. I lived most of my life in Southern Ontario and spent a lot of time in the Peterborough area and never saw a bald eagle there. Take full advantage!

I came across the same dilemma. I read that the Golden Eagle's feet are tufted, where the Bald Eagle's feet are not.

frozenframe wrote in post #17907715
I came across the same dilemma. I read that the Golden Eagle's feet are tufted, where the Bald Eagle's feet are not.

Golden eagles have feathers right down to their toes. Some Raptors have this trait, and others don't. Ferruginous hawks, and Rough-legged hawks also have feathered legs.

nice find...hopefully this is just the start for your relationship with them...i'd love to have eagles nearby