Bald Eagle Pictures – Check out these awesome shots of an amazing bird!

For some reason, there was Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) party along Dry Creek and Yellow Jacket Creek in La Plata County, Colorado yesterday.  I saw somewhere between 25-30 individuals.  Bald Eagle pictures and Bird-nerd’s delight!

Historically, bald eagles lived throughout North America from Alaska to Newfoundland, and from Florida to California. During the early-mid 20th century, bald eagle populations declined in size due to pesticides (primarily DDT), human disturbance and loss of trees for nesting habitat. Consequently the bald eagle was placed on the Endangered Species List. With the ban of the pesticide DDT and protection of nesting habitat, bald eagle populations have significantly recovered. In Colorado, bald eagles are found throughout much of the state during both the summer and winter. They can often be seen near large reservoirs and along major rivers (South Platte, Arkansas, Rio Grande, Yampa, Colorado).

Best viewing months: Although they can be seen year round, your best opportunity for viewing Bald Eagles in Colorado occurs from October to March when as many as 1200 birds spend the winter here.

Why do so many eagles migrate into Colorado? It’s simple. The state’s relatively mild winters and trout-stocked waters are an open invitation to this fish-eating bird.

My hometown of Pueblo, Colorado hosts an annual eagle event at the local lake:

The Sixteenth Annual Eagle Day Festival begins at 6:30 PM on Friday, February 1, 2013 and continues through 2 PM on Sunday, February 3, at the Lake Pueblo State Park Headquarters.
Here’s where you can learn the very latest information about this unique festival from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Have you seen them? The bald eagles are back! This magnificent bird of prey, with its distinctive white head and tail feathers, was named our national bird in 1782. It won out over Benjamin Franklin’s choice of the Wild Turkey by only one vote! Bald Eagles live exclusively on the North American continent and historically nested in 45 of the lower 48 states.

The scientific name for the bald eagle is Haliaeetus leucocephalus, which translates to “sea eagle with a white head.” Commonly known as a fish eater, it is almost always found along streams, rivers and lakes. These birds can lift up to four pounds with their talons, which lock in place around prey and then have to be pushed onto a hard surface to release. With eyesight four times better than humans, they spy their prey and dive from great distances into the water to reach their catch.

Bald Eagle Pictures : East of Durango, Colorado

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