Sunday, March 2, 2014

Eagles in Cherry Creek State Park




We have been enjoying mild and beautiful weather, for the most part, this winter, and one afternoon my husband and a co-worker decided to spend a lunch hour together walking in the park a short distance from where they work, Cherry Creek State Park, in Aurora, Colorado.  The park consists of a natural prairie environment with an 880-acre reservoir at its center. The park has 12 miles of paved roads and 35 miles of multi-use trails open to runners, cyclists, and horseback riders. The Cherry Creek Marina and Yacht club offer to moor for powerboats, sailboats, and paddleboats. The park also offers facilities for camping, radio-controlled aircraft, picnicking, fishing, cross country skiing, and bird watching.  As you can see in the center of the photo collage above, my husband spied two eagles sitting in a tree in the park!  Luckily he had brought a camera with him and captured the close-ups of an adult eagle and a juvenile eagle (lower left)



The Bald Eagle has been the national bird of the United States since 1782.  It really isn't bald but has a white feathered head when mature. They can weigh between 7 to 14 pounds and have a 7-foot wingspan.


It is always a thrill to see one!



For their first 3 to 5 years juvenile Bald Eagles are a mixture of chocolate brown with varying amounts of white over the body, tail, and underwings.





Not only do they have "eagle eyes" that see well, but apparently also very good hearing, as this eagle turned to look at my husband taking his photo from quite a distance!  He was also on his lunch break and kept flying down to the reservoir looking for a fish to eat. Thankfully, the camera was off while he dined!




My husband and I took a trip to Breckenridge, Colorado, last weekend and enjoyed its breathtaking winter scenery and some wonderful experiences--more about that in my next post!


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22 comments:

Judy said...

Most special...that your hubby and the eagles took their lunch break together! (And that hubby had a camera along!) Great pic's. They are a magnificent bird.

The Gathering Place said...

The eagle is a beautiful bird that one doesn't get to see very often. Your husband's walk was at a beautiful place!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Magnificent! I love the shot where he looks like he spotted you!

Love that shot of the mountain, too.

Exquisite, Pat!

xo

Sheila

PS

Pat, I never put pics of me on my blog. I went as the Dowager Duchess, but the headless shot was yours truly, LOL.

diane b said...

It sure is an impressive bird. Your husband took great shots of these two. Breckenridge looks a beautiful spot.

Daniela said...

It' sensational how beautifully wild the nature in the place you live is, dear Pat, your shots always bring me such a great enthusiasm and admiration !
This eagle seems almost to feel curios and attracted by you and what charming eyes he has!
Enjoy this beginning of March with the mild weather, here we still have the tail of Winter with us :)
Sendind many thanks for your always lovely post and warm hugs, my sweet friend xxoo
Dany

Lynn said...

The eagles are beautiful:@)

eileeninmd said...

Pat, gorgeous shots of the Eagles. They are always an amazing sight to see. I love the view of the mountains, just lovely! Enjoy your week ahead!

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Pat, you got some incredible shots of the bald eagles. What magnificent birds. I'm amazed at all of the different places they chose to live, including as far south as Marco Island, Florida. So pleased that you've had a nice winter also.

Your gumbo I see below sure looks enticing.
Sam

Tracy said...

WOW... can't helped but be impressed by such majestic creatures... This was a thrill to see, Pat! And fun to catch up with you after a blog-break. Happy Days ((HUGS))

Vee said...

Is he looking at me?! Vinny did a superior job capturing these shots. I am very impressed. There's just something so amazing about them. Our population has gone from two to four in a year so we're seeing them more and more. I'm always thrilled.

Pamela Gordon said...

Eagles are such majestic birds and your husband got some wonderful close up photos of them. I've never been close enough to get a shot like this. They are always in the air when I see them looking for food over the river.

Michelle said...

They are amazing creatures and you have some really great captures.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your wonderful photos of such a magnificent bird. I'm glad you winter has been mild so that you can explore all the areas that surround your new home.

ellen b. said...

Wow, Pat, amazing captures of the eagles.

genie said...

Your picture of the mountain is out of this world. Absolutely beautiful. And the eagles...what magnificent birds. Great captures.

Pat F. said...

Love the eagle pictures! They are so regal and magnificent; truly deserving to be our national bird! I love the shot of the eagle looking directly into the camera, his eyes are so intense! Thanks for the beautiful pictures of the eagle and the scenery!

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Fantastic shots of the eagles! We are seeing them more and more around our area and it is always a thrill to spot one. The mountains are beautiful!

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

All I can say is, "Wow!"

La Petite Gallery said...

They truly are the most majestic birds. We have them on the coast. They have fierce talons and will snatch up a kitten in a heartbeat.
then drop it in the granite ledges.
I never leave Renee's dog outside unless I am beside her.She can't wonder too far as the snow Renee
shoveled by the back garage door is 4 feet high. She does show up on all the white snow..Great post every time. yvonne

eileeninmd said...

Pat, thanks for sharing your awesome Eagle post with Saturday's Critters. Have a happy weekend!

Unknown said...

Handsome birds!

Roz | La Bella Vita Cucina said...

Such majestic birds! Amazing shots of them at such a close range! Beautiful post!