In the company of eagles

Convocation of five eagles

I can't think of a better way to bring in the New Year than in the company of eagles. With sunset coming so early – 4:30 p.m. today – eagles gather to hunt en masse a couple of hours before. A favorite spot is on the Nisqually River, where even at high tide there are shallower spots for a quick fish meal.

When eagles gather like this, it's called a "convocation." Sometimes, these gatherings are called "cauldrons." I counted a dozen in this stretch of river yesterday with at least another half dozen scattered in trees farther out into the delta. Today there were a similar number in the convocation.

Bald eagles are opportunists. Most of the eagles in this area eat fish but sometimes they steal food from other eagles, osprey, or seagulls. Seagulls and cormorants also hang around for their own opportunity, just in case an eagle drops some or all of its intended meal.

For more favorite raptor images, visit my Talons Gallery.