Lars' Incredible Eagle.
Lars richly deserves this after his many, many years devoted to Oregon
Birding.
He observed what most (especially including me) would pass off as 'just
another' Bald Eagle, in its normal shoreline habitat, at a great distance.
At Hood River
Still, he went to great lengths, with a camera view though a telescope, to
photograph it.
He was successful.
So, the question, was, is this a Bald or a Golden Eagle. (Since it didn't
look like either)..
Now I have some experience with this eagle, long, long ago, in Japan. So I
recognized the possibilities pretty soon. It didn't look like BAEA or GOEA
There were no responses so far to his photo, likely due to the CBC Season
in High Application.
I'm going out on a limb a little, myself, in proposing: White-tailed
Eagle. See below.
As for eBird, not accounting the long-ago residency on Attu, this would be
the first record for the lower 48. There is one for Kodiak IS, Alaska, and
one for eastern Canada.
Further documentation is, of course, essential. Any sort of flight shot
would greatly help as this eagle has an amazingly and distinctively short
tail.
Some key features (not necessarily definitive) in Lars' photo. Apparent
'white eye ring'; Large whitish area below the bill/eye, strangely mottled
breast, relatively small, but strongly hooked bill with darker tip. I don't
know what to make of the 'white' legs/feet, (perhaps staining?).
Hoping I'm correct and greatly in awe,
Bob OBrien Carver OR
PS In addition to the Macaulay images, I've taken the liberty of attaching
an adjusted version of Lars' very challenging telescopic photo.
https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/377675901?_gl=1*16ir32x*_ga*MTMwMDUxMjIxOC4xNjQwMTUzMDI1*_ga_QR4NVXZ8BM*MTY0MDE1MzAzOC4xLjEuMTY0MDE1NTEyMS41OQ..#_ga=2.254203021.421433067.1640153025-1300512218.1640153025
https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/378925181?_gl=1*wenbkn*_ga*MTMwMDUxMjIxOC4xNjQwMTUzMDI1*_ga_QR4NVXZ8BM*MTY0MDE1MzAzOC4xLjEuMTY0MDE1MzQ0OS40Mw..#_ga=2.248970242.421433067.1640153025-1300512218.1640153025
https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/213195631?_gl=1*1fghl84*_ga*MTMwMDUxMjIxOC4xNjQwMTUzMDI1*_ga_QR4NVXZ8BM*MTY0MDE1MzAzOC4xLjEuMTY0MDE1NTkwMy42MA..#_ga=2.146731313.421433067.1640153025-1300512218.1640153025
https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/147554701?_gl=1*1viu18k*_ga*MTMwMDUxMjIxOC4xNjQwMTUzMDI1*_ga_QR4NVXZ8BM*MTY0MDE1MzAzOC4xLjEuMTY0MDE1NjIwOC41#_ga=2.252525708.421433067.1640153025-1300512218.1640153025
Attachment:
LarsEagleSm.jpg
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