We’re having a "winter" in Northern Utah that’s basically just Spring in a trench coat. I think the Bald Eagles are confused or just disappointed in our lack of commitment to the season.
This Bald Eagle has clearly embraced our warm winter, he settled onto a hammock of dry branches with the ultimate "I’m not mad, just disappointed".
Generally, life is good.
Two days ago, there he was again, perched on the same pole which is noticeably shorter now—each year it seems to surrender a little more to time—but it still remains his chosen throne.
The grooming process for Bald Eagle takes between 10 and 30 minutes.
During my encounter with this predator, it cleaned its feathers for several minutes and then rested. After resting the eagle continued to groom itself again and it happened multiple times.
The Bald eagle uses its beak to straighten and align its feathers. For a bird of prey like the Bald eagle this helps ensure that feathers are properly arranged for flight and reduce wear and tear.
Bald eagle uses its beak to spread the oil over its feathers to maintain waterproofing and flexibility.
At some point, the eagle covered himself with his wings like a cloak and made an irresistible impression on me.
Eagles rotate their heads in different directions while their body is motionless. They do it because the eagle's eye doesn't move much in the eye socket, rotating its head helps a lot to look around.
Generally, life is good.
Having been with this Bald Eagle for a long time I began to predict his behavior and waited for the most interesting moments, such as when he briefly looked down with his wings raised in search of prey.
Preening was very important and was done frequently. The Eagle rotated his head in different directions which allowed the raptor easily reach most of the feathers on his chest, wings and back.
From time to time he looked at me sternly as if to say how long are you going to be here. At these moments I tried to photograph the Eagle's face as best as possible.
Generally, life is good.
Today I spent almost two hours with a Bald Eagle which likely the same Eagle that I have been photographing for the past few years.
The raprtor was preening, stretching his wings, moving around a little and, of course, resting and observing the world.
In the photo above Bald Eagle is trying to move to a more comfortable position.
An amazingly proud and beautiful predator. I can admire him endlessly, if, of course, he allows me.
Generally, life is good.
