Bald Eagle pair mating on East Canyon Reservoir – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 500, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
I was up in the Wasatch Mountains yesterday and although I heard quite a few birds it wasn’t easy finding any that were close enough to photograph. Once again though my keen vision “saved” my day when I spotted a pair of Bald Eagles and a Black-billed Magpie on the ice of the reservoir at East Canyon State Park. If I hadn’t found them I would have come home without any keeper bird images.
At first the pair of Bald Eagles seemed to be feeding on something small out on the ice and a few times Black-billed Magpies flew in close to where the eagles stood on the quickly thawing ice.
Then without any real courtship behavior at all the male Bald Eagle mounted the female and they mated as I photographed them and as the magpie stood nearby.
Mating Bald Eagles on ice with a Black-billed Magpie nearby – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 500, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
I took eighty-four images of the Bald Eagle pair mating on the frozen reservoir and the entire time the magpie stood on the ice close to them.
I have photographed mating Bald Eagles only one time before and that was on the mudflats of the Great Salt Lake from the causeway to Antelope Island. Those photos were nowhere near the quality that these are because of bad light.
I wish I had been a little closer to this mating pair and had been at a lower perspective but I am glad that I was able to photograph them at all.
Bald Eagle pair after mating in Morgan County – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 500, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
When the pair of Bald Eagles were finished mating one of them gave one call and then they simply stood on the ice. I don’t recall when the Black-billed Magpie finally flew away but it appeared in every image of the eagles mating. I guess I could have cropped the magpie out but I decided not to because it was there when all of the activity was occurring.
Life is good and full of wonderful surprises if you look for them. And I do.
Mia
Click here to view more of my Bald Eagle photos plus facts and information about this species.
The Magpie definitely makes me laugh! Thanks for catching these three.
Love the photo bombing voyeur magpie.
And am super impressed at the series.
I assume it was your ‘eagle eyes’ which pointed iyt tge far away action to Ron, and am endlessly grateful that you were there.
These are such wonderful and encouraging shots. I am always worried about the well-being and status of “our” Bald Eagle. It’s nice to see that the species will go on [in spite of a voyeuristic Magpie]. Thanks Mia.
A lifetime present from Mother Nature
Great find, I love seeing them on my big screen. Maybe we have a second nesting pair in the area?
You are right. The magpie gives the photo an interesting detail. The steadiness of the pair because they are not on a branch, makes for some nice crisp pictures even though you wish you had been closer. Actually, the vast area of the ice gives them a statue like quality that appeals to me. You did good!
Thanks for the photos of the Eagles mating. If you watch Eagle Web cams that are near a nest, you some times see the mating. You have a good view on the ice. My town is under the corona virus quarantine. We have 3 cases. Be careful out there.
Mia…..what a great scene to capture! Lucky you! THANKS for sharing!🦅
That is incredible ! Wow! And the magpie? Glad you included it. Nature is somewhat strange!
I thought they mated in the air? Old dogs can still learn new things! Haha ! love mom