Archive for the ‘bald eagle’ Tag
This brilliant yellow dragonfly rests on an aquatic bulrush plant. A fierce predator, it hunts mosquitoes & other insects. Photo by the USFWS. Tweeted by the US Fish & Wildlife Service, 8/4/17.
On June 20, 1782, the bald eagle was placed at the center of the Great Seal of the United States and remains a symbol of our proud country. After a dramatic recovery, bald eagles are found in every state but Hawaii, soaring high and inspiring the nation. Photo from the Gulkana Wild and Scenic River in Alaska by Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 6/20/17.
The North American porcupine is a skilled climber, spending a lot of its time in trees eating bark. It has 30,000 sharp quills. Photo: USFWS. Tweeted by the US Fish & Wildlife Service, 8/20/17.
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American Bittern. Photo by Rick Bohn / USFWS. Uploaded to Flickr by the US Fish & Wildlife Service, 5/2/17.
The Marbled Godwit breeds in the northern prairies, amongst grasslands and scattered wetlands. Tweeted by the US Fish & Wildlife Service, 5/8/17.
This pair of Wyoming bald eagles has used this location/nest for almost 10 years and has fledged over 20 young over their “career”. Tweeted by the US Fish & Wildlife Service, 5/8/17.
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A glossy ibis at Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Photo by Keenan Adams, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. From the US Department of the Interior blog.
The forested wetlands of Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina provide excellent habitat for migratory birds. Large numbers of waterfowl concentrate on this relatively small area in the winter, peaking at well over 100,000 birds gathering in December and January. It is also home to the only population of wild, free roaming red wolves in the world and supports several clusters of endangered red cockaded woodpeckers. Here, a large flock of tundra swans flies over the refuge at sunset. Photo by Ginny P. Gillam. From the US Department of the Interior blog.
Horned Larks, Wyoming big sagebrush and snow on Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge. Photo: Tom Koerner/USFWS. Taken 3/1 & posted on Flickr by the US Fish & Wildlife Service.
Bald Eagle on Seedskadee National Wildlife. Refuge Photo: Tom Koerner/USFWS. Posted on Flickr by the US Fish & Wildlife Service. Taken 3/1/17.
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The Weddell seal population of Erebus Bay, Antarctica, has been extensively studied for over 40 years. It’s one of the longest running studies of a long-lived mammal. Between September and October, Weddell seals give birth to one pup, and the pup will stay with the mother for 5-6 weeks. Photo by William Link, USGS. From the Department of the Interior blog, 2/13/17.
Nothing says love like these two great horned owlets snuggling in a heart-shaped hole. They nest earlier in the year than most birds, so great horned owl babies are ready to hunt when other wildlife young are easy prey. Photo from Grand Teton National Park by Jon LeVasseur. From the Department of the Interior blog, 2/13/17.
Moose calves nuzzle each other while posing for the camera. Female moose (called cows) give birth to 1-3 calves, with triplets being rare. At birth, calves weigh 28-35 pounds and pack on weight quickly — reaching 300+ pounds within five months. Photo from Fortymile Wild and Scenic River by Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management. From the Department of the Interior blog, 2/13/17.
Not all couples show affection the same way. Clearly. Eagles mate for life, choosing the tops of large trees to build nests, which they typically use and enlarge each year. Nests may reach 10 feet across and weigh a half ton. Breeding bald eagles typically lay one to three eggs once a year. Learn more about bald eagles. Photo by Roy W. Lowe. From the Department of the Interior blog, 2/13/17.
Many birds are monogamous, but Laysan Albatrosses mate for life. Young birds search for a mate with elaborate courtship dances. Once they hit breeding age, Albatrosses breed their entire lives, hatching and caring for one chick at least every other year. Pictured here is Wisdom — the oldest living, banded, wild bird — and her current mate at their nest at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. Photo by Pete Leary, USFWS. From the Department of the Interior blog, 2/13/17.
This might look like a fight, but it’s part of the avocets’ complicated courtship ritual. After mating, avocets stand side by side with their bills crossed and the male’s wing draped over the female. National wildlife refuges, such as Bombay Hook in Delaware and Bear River in Utah, are great places for birding experiences. Photo by Julio Flego. From the Department of the Interior blog, 2/13/17.
Two elk smooch while enjoying the view at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. Every autumn, elk gather for the rut or annual mating season. Bull elk can be heard calling to females with a crescendo of deep, resonant tones that rise rapidly to a high-pitched squeal before dropping to a series of grunts. Remember to keep your distance when observing them. Mating wildlife enjoy their human-free personal space. Photo by Brent Willmert. From the Department of the Interior blog, 2/13/17.
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Mallard in flight, posted by the US Department of the Interior 11/15/16.
Bald Eagle. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 11/22/16.
Red Tailed Hawk. Tweeted by the US Fish & Wildlife Service, 11/28/16.
The fight is on between these coots from the 2016 Bear River Photo contest. Photo by Velvet Shearer / USFWS. Tweeted by the US Fish & Wildlife Service, 11/30/16.
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As a national symbol, the majestic Bald Eagle appears on everything from money to memorials, but decades ago, it almost disappeared completely. Because of the ban on the pesticide DDT and habitat protection, the Bald Eagle is now flourishing across the nation and no longer needs the protection of the Endangered Species Act. It’s a great Wildlife Win and one more reason to celebrate eagles and all they represent. Photo by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 6/20/16.
A baby Mexican spotted owl at Zion National Park in Utah! National parks aren’t just for people to enjoy – they also preserve important habitat for wildlife like the Mexican spotted owl, found in Zion’s slot canyons. It’s one of the largest owls in North America and is listed as a threatened species by both the U.S. and Mexican governments. Protecting parks helps ensure these owls have a home for years to come. Photo by Sarah Stio, National Park Service. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 8/22/16.
Greater yellowlegs spend winters along the southern coast of the United States and southward all the way to the southern tip of South America, then travel to Alaska and Canada in the summer to breed. They lay their eggs directly on the ground, and both parents defend the nesting site aggressively. A nearby tree is often used as an observation post. From the Park’s Facebook page.
Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge in Indiana was established in 1966 to provide resting and feeding areas for waterfowl during their annual migrations. More than 280 species of birds have been seen at Muscatatuck, and the refuge is recognized as a “Continentally Important” bird area. This time of year, you can see great blue herons, egrets, warblers and incredible orange sunrises. Photo by Bill Tucker. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 4/6/16.
Ferruginous Hawk. Photo at the Curlew Allotment, BLM Idaho. Photo by Matt Fischer. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 10/21/16.
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Young Bald Eagles are often confused for golden eagles. Eagles reach full adult plumage in about 5 years. Photo by David Mitchell. Tweeted by the USFWS Midwest on 4/10/16.
Doesn’t get cuter than this: A baby bear lounging in a tree in Tennessee’s Great Smoky National Park. Photo by by Matt & Delia Hills. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 3/25/16.
Monarch butterflies. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 3/30/16.
A baby fox at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Located just 26 miles from New York City’s Times Square, the refuge consists of more than 7,700 acres of habitat for birds, deer, turtles and foxes, like this adorable kit. Photo by Ashleigh Scully. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 4/10/16.
Sleeping bear cubs at Alaska’s Katmai National Park. From the Park’s Facebook page.
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After nearly disappearing decades ago from most of the United States, the bald eagle is now flourishing across the nation. Seeing this majestic bird is always a special treat. With a wingspan of 8 feet, watching them soar or hearing their distinctive call will stir your spirit. Photo of a bald eagle at Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve in Alaska by Bert van Macklenbergh. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 3/30/16.
The northern hawk owl is an especially dangerous predator if you’re a rodent, shrew or small bird. Hawk owls can spot their next meal from half a mile away, and have excellent hearing. From the top branches of a tall spruce tree, they can hear and locate their prey under a full twelve inches of snow. They hunt during both night and day, and typically do not occur in the lower 48. From the Park’s Facebook page.
Wolves are opportunistic animals and will make an appearance in populated areas from time to time, to capitalize on an easy meal. A wolf pack’s territory can range up to 1,000 miles, and they have been known to travel even further in pursuit of caribou herds. From Katmai National Park’s Facebook page.
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Thousands of sandhill cranes are arriving at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico this month to winter in this safe and stunning area. These gorgeous birds can stand four feet tall and have a wingspan greater than six feet. Fascinating to watch, their social behavior includes at least 10 different types of calls, various threatening postures and elaborate dances for everything from joy to courtship. Yesterday marked the start of the world-renowned Festival of the Cranes, an annual event hosted by the refuge. Photo by Michael Tafoya. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 11/18/15.
Sage Grouse. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 9/10/15.
How many bald eagles can you fit in a single tree? Apparently, at least 55! Chuck Hilliard took this pic back in 2012 along the Nooksack River near Deming, Washington. The eagles gather here for the early winter to feed on spawning chum salmon. Chuck’s explanation of why there were so many eagles the tree: The eagle parents appeared to be supervising their young as they fed on the salmon. “If an adult from outside this area flew in and harassed the young, the parental adults would fly down and run it off. It was pretty cool watching and listening,” he said. Photo courtesy of Chuck Hilliard. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 11/15/15.
Sunrise takeoff at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Photo by Kim Hang Dessoliers. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 11/18/15.
Puffins. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 11/19/15.
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