An Hour With The Lake Wilhelm Eagles

June 01, 2015  •  6 Comments

Last Saturday, my wife, Elena, and I decided to take a ride up to Lake Wilhelm in Maurice K. Goddard state park to watch a pair of nesting Bald Eagles.  Since this nest is about 300 yards from the viewing areas, I usually don't make very many photographs on our visits because, after cropping, the images usually don't look very good.  Somehow, I always feel pressured to make photographs anyway.  Then I usually delete them when I get home. 

There wasn't any wind that night and the evening light was pretty nice. My shutter speed still crept under 500 sometimes lending to possible blurred movement.  For those of you that have experience with DSLR's and iso, I will just add that I didn't set my iso any higher than 400 because I knew I'd be cropping the image pretty severely.

I was pretty happy with the outcome that night so I processed a handful of photographs to document the evening and I'd like to share.

We only spent about an hour watching the eagles this night.  When we got there, both eagles were perched in a tree about 50 yards to the right of the nest.  The nest, by the way, is the current home of two growing eaglets.  More on them later.  It was very interesting watching this pair as they seemed to go through many emotions.

Bald EagleBald EagleMaurice K. Goddard State Park. Sandy Lake, PA

 

There were some Common Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds flying all around the swamp.  This Red-winged Blackbird flew very close to the eagles.

Bald EagleBald EagleMaurice K. Goddard State Park. Sandy Lake, PA

 

Let's talk about how you tell the difference between a male and a female Bald Eagle.  The two most obvious points are a female is larger than the male and a female has a deeper eye cavity than the male giving the illusion of wearing eye shadow makeup.  With that said, I can't for sure say which gender these eagles are.  So, in order to not make a mistake.  I won't refer to the eagles as he or she in this posting.

After 10 or 15 minutes of preening, this eagle shakes it up to finish up the preening process.

Bald EagleBald EagleMaurice K. Goddard State Park. Sandy Lake, PA

 

The eagle on the right must have recently flown in because it was panting a lot.  They don't sweat so they cool themselves by panting; similar to a dog.  At times, this couple moved close to each other as if they were communicating.

Bald EagleBald EagleMaurice K. Goddard State Park. Sandy Lake, PA

 

Earlier, I mentioned two eaglets on the nest.  Below is a photo I made during a short time they had their heads above the nest.  They were watching mom and dad.

Bald EagleBald EagleTwo eaglets this year
Maurice K. Goddard State Park. Sandy Lake, PA

 

Another photo of the pair.

Bald EagleBald EagleMaurice K. Goddard State Park. Sandy Lake, PA

 

The eagle on the right began to chatter at the other one.  Only they know what they were communicating but it was pretty intense.

Bald EagleBald EagleMaurice K. Goddard State Park. Sandy Lake, PA

 

Another five minutes went by with not much activity.

Bald EagleBald EagleMaurice K. Goddard State Park. Sandy Lake, PA

 

Then, it happened.  I'm sure a bird can poop while it flies but they always seem to do it right before they take off.  Maybe they are lightening the load!  Some cultures believe it is good luck to be hit by bird poop.  I'm not sure I would want to be the target of an eagle.

Bald EagleBald EagleMaurice K. Goddard State Park. Sandy Lake, PA

 

Then it was time to go. 

Bald EagleBald EagleMaurice K. Goddard State Park. Sandy Lake, PA

 

Bald EagleBald EagleMaurice K. Goddard State Park. Sandy Lake, PA

 

Bald EagleBald EagleMaurice K. Goddard State Park. Sandy Lake, PA

 

When the eagle took off, so did the Red-winged Blackbird that was sitting nearby the whole time.  There are some brave and aggressive little birds out there.  I don't think I'd pick on someone so much larger than me.  The eagle flew between some trees before it turned and flew away from me and towards the lake.  The red-winged Blackbird was on its tail for about 100 yards before the eagle's speed was too much for it.

Bald EagleBald EagleMaurice K. Goddard State Park. Sandy Lake, PA

 

The other eagle sat in the tree watching it's mate fly away.

Bald EagleBald EagleMaurice K. Goddard State Park. Sandy Lake, PA

 

I fully appreciate any and all time I get to spend in nature.  Add the elegant Bald Eagle in the scene and it is a time you will not soon forget.

 

Thanks for looking,

Dan


Comments

Charlotte Yoos(non-registered)
Hi Dan.
I grew up near Wilhelm. Decided to return 3/4/18 to look at the Eagles. Someone asked my brother if he was Dan. The female was nesting, but 3 eagles circled overhead. Fascinating! Very great photos by the way.
Willard Hill(non-registered)
Outstanding images, Dan. I would never have thought they were that far away.
Blair Cessna(non-registered)
Absolutely beautifully presented. IMO, you nailed it. Great series of captures. Thanks for sharing...
Mark Perkins(non-registered)
Great shots Dan. I agree with Tom, it's a long shot and the conditions have to be right to get the images you captured here. This is my 3rd year with this particular pair and I can honestly say... no season is exactly like another. Last years youngsters spent a lot of time in the pine trees and were difficult to find. The year before that, they hung out in the middle of the small pond. Always great fun to go to Wilhelm. When we gonna get together?
Trisha B(non-registered)
Beautiful photos and story. Thank ks for sharing.
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