Sylvia and I made a quick run over to Pickwick Dam this afternoon to try
to tick the long-tailed ducks, which I hadn't seen for a long time, and
she never had. We found the two long-tailed hens almost immediately
upon arrival, and got out the scope and camera for some better looks and
maybe a photo.
Right about then the real fun started. A bald eagle flew in, swooping
low over the coots and ducks, causing them to tighten the raft and
retreat toward the shore immediately under our observation post. The
eagle made several passes, but we didn't see it take a coot. It landed
in a tree over on the bank, and I busied myself with the camera for a
bit. When I looked up again, the eagle was out over the water again,
being chased by a huge dark bird. They both went to the bank, while the
list of suspects for the dark bird narrowed to one very quickly. When
they came out out again, the golden eagle resumed its chase and
harassment of the bald eagle, swooping and diving while the bald tried
to hunt. Both eagles soon landed on the north bank, the bald eagle
within 100 yards of the dam extended, and the golden about 100 yards
further upstream. Sylvia and I both had good scope looks at the golden
eagle, a magnificent bird. Absolutely jet black underneath, the
nape/crown actually looked silver to me, rather than gold. Regrettably,
it flew off while I was getting the camera. An experience I don't
expect to have again.
Jud Johnston
Waynesboro, TN