Citrus County Landfill
What turned out to be one of the best Eagle days in a long time started out as a trip to the dump. The Citrus County Landfill has a birding trail that goes around its perimeter. The last time I was there was a couple of years ago in the early summer. There were a few birds that day but not a lot. However, this time was peak season for seeing Bald Eagles. There were easily 20-30 of all ages (Immature, Sub-adult and Adult). Bald Eagles can be a challenge to photograph because of their bright white head/tail and dark brown body. This day was made better by the fact that it was slightly overcast, making that bright/dark difference less severe. Check it out…
Not far onto the drive was an Immature Bald Eagle watching from a tree
Immature Bald Eagle taking flight
In this photo you can see 3 adult Bald Eagles on the top of the hill, another on the lower right and an immature flying down on the lower left
Another immature Bald Eagle in a tree
Sitting on the fence at the top of the landfill hill are 2 sub-adults and 2 immature Bald Eagles
An immature Bald Eagle watches as another takes flight
Immature Bald Eagle surveying the landfill from its perch
A 4th immature Bald Eagle joins 3 others and an adult in one of the trees on the perimeter of the landfill
Adult Bald Eagle taking flight
Immature Bald Eagle resting
Adult Bald Eagle watching from the hilltop with a lot of vultures and gulls flying behind it
A vulture from above this photo dropped something that it found to eat. The Eagles made abrupt turns to dive after it as it fell to the ground.
Bald Eagle flying past
This is a great look at the feather detail on the top of the Eagle’s wings as it flew low
A pair of Bald Eagles flying very fast and close to each other
Bald Eagles climbing and turning very close to each other
The “lower” Eagle is just behind the other as they flew right towards me
Adult Bald Eagle in flight
I saw the adult Bald Eagle fly into the tree near the immature. Afterwards, I noticed the second adult behind the pine branches
Immature Bald Eagle flying through the pine trees
Adult Bald Eagle flying the other way through the pine trees
Immature Bald Eagle hiding in the pine tree
Immature Bald Eagle out on a limb
Immature Bald Eagle landing on the fence
Immature Bald Eagle flying just behind the hilltop
Immature Bald Eagle joining the others on top of the fence
An adult and immature Bald Eagle flying close to each other
An immature Bald Eagle chasing a Turkey Vulture for the food it was carrying in its beak
Now an adult Bald Eagle takes over the chase of the Turkey Vulture
The Turkey Vulture dropped its food and the adult Bald Eagle swooped down to grab it in mid air
Two immature Bald Eagles are chasing a 3rd that is carrying what looks to be some old meat that it found
Going for the mid-air steal
A sub-adult Bald Eagle making a turn overhead
That was an exciting day! I knew Bald Eagles often hung around landfills for easy meals, but I never expected to see so many at my local one. If there’s a landfill near you, inquire if they have a birding trail or area that allow photographers. You won’t be disappointed!