This is one of the better views I have of the field marks of a juvenile Golden Eagle in flight.
In the field Golden Eagles can be difficult to classify as to specific age because there’s much variation among individuals and age-related traits of juveniles, sub-adults and adults are often obscured. Poor light on the underside of an eagle in flight when it’s high overhead and far away (as is often the case with this species) doesn’t make the daunting task any easier.
1/1600, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
I photographed this juvenile (mostly in its first plumage) almost exactly a year ago as it soared overhead in Box Elder County, Utah. The brightly lit golden nape easily identifies it as a Golden Eagle. I’m quite happy with the image because of its sharpness and good detail (especially for a bird flying overhead with shaded underparts), the slightly open beak and I even have a good look at the eye with a catch light which is often missing in images like this.
But mostly I appreciate the good look at some of the field marks of the juvenile. Both juveniles and sub-adults have varying amounts of white in the tail and wings. Those whites gradually become darker as they age but in juveniles the white in the tail typically covers more than half of its entire ventral surface and many of their remiges (wing primary flight feathers) have a white base which produces the distinctive white wing patch of the juvenile. White wing patches vary considerably in size among juveniles. Based on the emerging primary in the right wing and the time of year I suspect this bird is transitioning into sub-adult I.
Adults are completely dark and show only faint gray mottling in the wings and tail. The amount of white in the tail and remiges of sub-adults (I-IV) is intermediate and variable.
Ron
Note: Aging Golden Eagles can be tricky even for experts and I’m far from an authority on the subject so I’d appreciate knowing about it if I’ve made any glaring errors.
Thank you for providing my happy place (almost) every morning! Your happy places have been oh so appreciated this last weekend!
Beautiful flight shot Ron!
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.
PERFECTION!!!!!!!!
Don’t you EVER refer to a golden as. “Nemesis” bird again…or I’ll be forced to come out there and clobber you with my anti-trump sticker-covered frog’s head wooden cane!!!!!
Wow, wow and wow.
This is a stunning image.
I have had a v good morning. A balloon festival at dawn, followed by a Golden Eagle. Hard to beat.
Congrats on your good day so far, EC. And thanks.
Don’t do it Patty. You will get a splat on your head! Ron, you are too funny. Wonderful picture. They are amazing birds. The size of their feet!
Thank you, Jean.
Would never wash shit off!!! 🙂
THIS is the image I’d like to put on my ceiling!!!!!
It would poop on you from up there!
It would be an honor! I have seriously thought about doing this…I’m still condidering it…send costs….thanks.
Patty, We’ll have to talk about a print down the road a bit. I’ve got some other “stuff” going on right now that’s keeping me occupied.
Hope it’s something goof…
I”ve become a worrier…sounds ominous…hope it isn’t ..know you’re dealing with a double whammy…(back and shingles)….you deserve to be busy with something good….
Have no words …just OMG!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks, Patty.
Ron, where is the best place to see Golden Eagles in Utah?
Don’t know about the “best” place, they’re nearly always elusive. Almost anywhere in Utah that has wild, open country close to mountains, cliffs and hills could have them – especially if rabbits are plentiful.
A totally magnificent bird which you captured so well. I can understand why your viewing of these birds is special. I sure hope I get to see one sometime.
Thanks, Ron
I hope you do too, Alice. Thank you.
Gorgeous. Gorgeous. Gorgeous. Totally worth losing an hour of sleep to wake up to this magnificent creature!
Thanks very much, Marty.
Nice photo Ron. I have never seen a Golden Eagle in the wild. I have taken photos of juvenile Bald Eagles here. I know they can be see at many locations throughout Arizona and hopefully I will get to see one one of these days.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
Good luck. I hope you do, Everett.
This answers a question I’ve pondered for years. Thanks!
Good!
They are gorgeous birds.
They sure are.
Excellent Ron, just beautiful!
Several years ago had one fly low over our property traversing the border of a lake. Very surprising for me to see a Golden in VT, but they are seen from time to time. These field marks are what gave it away as a Golden, plus the gold feathers on the neck when it is low enough to be seen. I am in awe of Golden’s, love em!!
For me every sighting of this species is special even though we have a fair number of them around here. Thanks, Dick.
Beautiful photo, Ron and the tutorial is great….. I find that the white patch on the wings is something that is usually visible even when the golden nap isn’t and is one thing I look for. The underside of tail has been confusing to me over time – thx for that tip! 🙂
Thank you, Judy. We usually have to have pretty good light on the golden nape to see or photograph it well. When we don’t it can be very difficult or impossible to see.