In this photo of Rest Lake with a layer of ice, a first year Bald Eagle flies in and touches down next to a third year bird. The younger bird on the left is probably a female as it is significantly taller and larger than the older bird. (You can’t really tell by this shot but I have shots where both birds are standing in the same pose, and the younger one is a couple inches taller and has a larger body). The younger bird on the left could also appear larger due to the longer and thicker plumage immature birds get in their early years. The third year bird has probably traded in most of its larger “baby” feathers for the streamlined versions. Image captured January 7, 2016, at the Ridgefield NWR.
Canon 5D Mark III, 1/1250, f4, ISO 1600, 500mm, 9:27 a.m.
