Last Friday, however, while out walking, I came across a bald eagle perched on a dead tree in the middle of the Toftrees pond.
Talk about a happy surprise!
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This particular bald eagle is a Basic V, only several months away from adulthood. Its head has some gray, and in the second photo there are some dark tips at the end of the tail. (I depend on hawk expert Don Bryant for details; but I can still get his facts wrong.)
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After my initial photos (from several angles), the eagle flew to the edge of the pond (while my back was turned).
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The bald eagle flew much faster than I had expected (certainly quicker than many red-tailed hawks I've seen in level flight).
Yesterday morning the eagle was reported back by the pond.
This morning, Sue and I saw that the bald eagle was high up in a large pine by the edge of the pond. The young had a great perch in the shade and appeared content to perch quietly for the time being. That made a lot of sense to me. It was a hot day.
Photo note: I used a Pentax K200D, with the SMC 1000mm reflex lens, on August 14, 2009, taken in the Toftrees game land, next to the pond between the game land and the golf course.