Eagles in the Wind

Twas a beautiful early fall day, cool, clear as could be, with a stiff breeze from the northwest. I’d been visiting a large beaver pond and was on my way home. Shortly before noon I was passing a powerline right-of-way with an expansive view to the north – “hmm, this would be a dandy spot to see migrating hawks.” So I stopped.

Looking north toward a lower ridge, it wasn’t long until a bird appeared above the trees on that ridge –

And then another bird that had been “lost” in the trees rose above the ridge –

The two birds drew closer and it became obvious that they were both immature bald eagles –

While the eagles rose in the air a raven, that was closer than the eagles, rode the wind along the ridge –

As the eagles converged, talons were extended –

Then they separated –

And drew together again with those sharp talons extended –

That behavior was repeated several more times until they began riding the wind along the ridge and went out of sight –

If it had been spring and the eagles were older, this  could easily be called courtship behavior. But it’s fall, many bald eagles are headed south for the winter, and they were young birds not ready to mate. Instead these birds were doing what so many youngsters do – playing or play fighting to establish dominance.

Whatever they were doing and wherever they were going I wish them well as they navigate this human-dominated world.