Bald eagle eating dead deer Plum Point Rd.

[Katelin]

For those driving up/down Plum Point Rd up near the split, just pass the compactor site, look to the field on your left.
There is a dead deer there ( only about 36-48 hours old) in the middle if that field and there must have been 20+ vultures up in the trees and on the ground waiting to eat because of this bald eagle. Its mate was up in the trees watching.
All I had was a 70mm lens, so not the best photos, plus it was about 6:25, but you get the idea.
So, if you plan to drive that way tomorrow, bring your camera!!!

 

[Pasofever]

I saw 3 on a deer the other day in Leonardtown...and a local state trooper said he saw about 10 of them on a deer IN the road...one of our best state troopers in uniform pulled the deer to the field and in some so the eagles would not be hit...thanks J.....

 

[atrusomder]

pretty cool seeing those vultures wait their turn while that Bald Eagle picks at it alone!

 

[Speedy70]

Wow, that's amazing. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Katelin]

I saw 3 on a deer the other day in Leonardtown...and a local state trooper said he saw about 10 of them on a deer IN the road...one of our best state troopers in uniform pulled the deer to the field and in some so the eagles would not be hit...thanks J.....

Thats awesome!! 10 eagles on one deer..That has to be a record!
Someone must have pulled this deer..or it died there...
Thanks..

So many healthy eagles back where they are supposed to be! No more DDT!!

 

[aps45819]

So many healthy eagles back where they are supposed to be! No more DDT!!

just malaria

 

[desertrat]

Thats awesome!! 10 eagles on one deer..That has to be a record!
Someone must have pulled this deer..or it died there...Thanks..

So many healthy eagles back where they are supposed to be! No more DDT!!

Thats just what I was thinking.

 

[MADPEBS1]

So Cool, are some of those standing by Juvie Eagles, far left birds beak looks bigger then a vultures ??

The NEW Nest on base by hole 12 has mommy on some eggs i'm hoping as we walked up to green yesterday !!! All i could see was a White Head...

 

[Pezfreak]

So cool! Thanks for posting. I'll look today when I go by

 

[TPD]

I always thought eagles were beautiful birds, until I saw one covered in blood from having is head buried deep in the carcass of a deer. They are just a vulture like the rest of us... But great pics btw!!

 

[RPMDAD]

Good shots Katelin

 

[Katelin]

So Cool, are some of those standing by Juvie Eagles, far left birds beak looks bigger then a vultures ??

The NEW Nest on base by hole 12 has mommy on some eggs i'm hoping as we walked up to green yesterday !!! All i could see was a White Head...

No, no juvies, just red head vultures.
Great news about the nest!!! Eggs should be hatched or hatch very soon!!

 

[Katelin]

I always thought eagles were beautiful birds, until I saw one covered in blood from having is head buried deep in the carcass of a deer. They are just a vulture like the rest of us... But great pics btw!!

Yup...eagles are opportunistic feeders and as birds of prey will eat just about anything.
Many eagles get lead poisoning from eating deer and digesting the lead shot.
Over time the lead levels rise and make the bird very sick. Sometimes they can be saved and other times, it is too late.
That goes for birds of prey and water birds that eat sub aquatic grasses and pickup spent lead shot from duck/geese hunters.
Osprey, on the other hand eat 99% fish, and many here have seen eagles go after the fish an osprey just caught!

Speaking of which, osprey should be here this week!!! They follow the perch and other fish!

Pic are ok for using a 70mm. lens, as my camera bag with the bigger lenses was at home. That will teach me not not leave home without it!!

 

[Baja28]

Yup...eagles are opportunistic feeders and as birds of prey will eat just about anything.
1. Many eagles get lead poisoning from eating deer and digesting the lead shot.
Over time the lead levels rise and make the bird very sick. Sometimes they can be saved and other times, it is too late.

2. That goes for birds of prey and water birds that eat sub aquatic grasses and pickup spent lead shot from duck/geese hunters.Osprey, on the other hand eat 99% fish, and many here have seen eagles go after the fish an osprey just caught!

3. Speaking of which, osprey should be here this week!!! They follow the perch and other fish!

Pic are ok for using a 70mm. lens, as my camera bag with the bigger lenses was at home. That will teach me not not leave home without it!!

1. You don't hunt deer with shot. You use rifled slugs.
2. Lead shot hasn't been used in over 20 years.
3. The osprey are here. Saw one yesterday.

 

[luvscats]

Wonderful pics. Thanks for posting.

When will the hummers arrive? I've got my feeders out to be cleaned good before I put sugar water in them.

 

[lovinmaryland]

Great pictures!

 

[Katelin]

1. You don't hunt deer with shot. You use rifled slugs.
2. Lead shot hasn't been used in over 20 years.
3. The osprey are here. Saw one yesterday.

Stop with the bully behavior and BS icon!
Yes, deer eat lead from being shot with it. Dont care if it is what it is, they are wounded/killed with a piece of lead "shot" at them by a human from a weapon of some fashion.
Deer dies, eagles eat and digest lead.
Hunters field dress deer and leave guts, etc in the field which animal eat and ingest the lead shot. ( it is now broken into small pieces after impact)

Folks STILL use lead because we are still getting in sick birds.
You disagree AND call my post "BS" ..then contact Tri-State Bird Rescue in Newark Deleware and ASK.
Contact the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Assoc and ask for stats.
Contact Raptor Center, Univ. of Minn. ask them and call their info BS!

From an article, In fact, of the 29 bald eagles admitted last year, only one survived the lead poisoning to be released back into the wild.

I suggest you read it!
Google "eagles lead poison"
Lead is still used and eagles get sick and die Baja.
And it is not limited to eagles either!



Yea, thanks for the osprey report.

 

[Katelin]

Wonderful pics. Thanks for posting.

When will the hummers arrive? I've got my feeders out to be cleaned good before I put sugar water in them.

Actually, believe it or not, there is a map for hummingbird migration sightings HERE
They arrive when there is a reliable food supply to support the adults and the babies.
In addition to nectar, they eat bugs!

Check out the map...they will be here!!!
Also plant some stuff hummers like. Butterfly bush is great!!

Actually, if you Google "Hummingbird Migration 2012" several sites come up with good maps!

 

[Pasofever]

Thats awesome!! 10 eagles on one deer..That has to be a record!
Someone must have pulled this deer..or it died there...
Thanks..

So many healthy eagles back where they are supposed to be! No more DDT!!

Thats just what I was thinking.

Did you two read my post????? the deer was in the road...a local state trooper witnessed 10 or so bald eagles in the road eatting on it...so HE PULLED THE DEER INTO THE FIELD ..so the eagles were safe to eat off of it...

 

[wineo]

Our Osprey showed up on the 8th of March. Both are at the nest and cleaning house.

Yup...eagles are opportunistic feeders and as birds of prey will eat just about anything.
Many eagles get lead poisoning from eating deer and digesting the lead shot.
Over time the lead levels rise and make the bird very sick. Sometimes they can be saved and other times, it is too late.
That goes for birds of prey and water birds that eat sub aquatic grasses and pickup spent lead shot from duck/geese hunters.
Osprey, on the other hand eat 99% fish, and many here have seen eagles go after the fish an osprey just caught!

Speaking of which, osprey should be here this week!!! They follow the perch and other fish!

Pic are ok for using a 70mm. lens, as my camera bag with the bigger lenses was at home. That will teach me not not leave home without it!!