Northeast Florida Eagles

I heard about a couple of spots in northeast Florida that had a lot of Eagles that were very active. The first one was actually at a landfill. I had heard about Eagles hanging out around landfills but had never actually been to one looking for them. I can tell you that they definitely like landfills! There were a lot there. After that I went to a secret location that’s on private land. This location had even more Eagles taking off and landing around a small shallow pond. The light wasn’t the best as it was mid-day, but it was an amazing experience seeing so many Eagles so close and active.

Landfill

Immature Bald Eagle

Almost full adult Bald Eagle on the left. Immature Bald Eagle on the right. Both enjoying the top on the trash hill.

Adult Bald Eagle surveying the landfill

Immature Bald Eagle flying away

Adult Bald Eagle turning its head sharply to look below

Adult Bald Eagle flying overhead

Wild Turkeys enjoying the lower levels of the landfill

Bald Eagles Flying in a Secret Location

Immature Bald Eagle taking off with an Adult peaking over its wing

The adult Bald Eagle has to duck the incoming Immature Bald Eagle as it lands a little close to it’s head

Adult Bald Eagle landing as another already in the pond calls out

Lift off! Notice the nictitating membrane over the eye protecting it from flying debris during lift off

Adult and Immature Bald Eagles landing together

Immature Bald Eagle coming in to land a little too close

Almost full adult Bald Eagle landing next to an adult

Immature and almost full adult stare each other down on approach

Immature Bald Eagle watching the almost adult fly off as an older immature lifts its butt to do its business

It seems that Eagles like to land on the same spot. Better get out of the way!

Eagles and a few of their friends

Wild Turkey having fun playing with some Grackles

Immature Bald Eagle taking off as it turns to fly away

Immature Bald Eagle flying in front of a nice dark background

Eagles in the pond

Adult Bald Eagle in flight. See the water drops falling off its tail?

Sandhill Crane family watching for incoming Eagles

Landing Eagle

Adult and Immature Bald Eagles with the Crane family grazing in the foreground

Immature Bald Eagle about to drop the landing gear as it flies in over the trees

Adult Bald Eagle banking as it prepares to land

Thirst quenching time in the pond

Good thing this pond is shallow enough for an Immature Bald Eagle to land in

Bald Eagle flying under a palm tree

Bald Eagles molt their feathers a few at a time. This one is showing a rare time when all of the flight feathers are present

Three stages of Bald Eagle development as they work their way from Immature (left) to adult (right)

Landing gear down as it banks towards the ground

Bald Eagle flying off to new adventures (or maybe a landfill)

That was an amazing day! So many Bald Eagles in all stages of development, interacting with each other. There was so much action at times it was hard to know which one to watch and track. Really cool to observe these beautiful raptors in action. Definitely will be keeping this location in mind for a future visit.