Posted by David La Puma on August 02, 2002 at 00:48:13:
In Reply to: How say you? posted by Paul on August 01, 2002 at 08:17:16:
Ohhhhhhhhhh John. You sure have a magical way with words.
Now to Paul,
Golden Eagle? I don't know...were they more common down there in the 50's? They're sure not common there now. You definitely have a better chance of seeing an Osprey at Mahogany hammock than a Golden Eagle. I've seen Osprey flying over our sparrow site, and that's 5 miles WEST of the Homestead regional airport...a far cry from the coast. But this picture doesn't look 100% like an Osprey to me either...especially in the lack of white in the body feathers. Also, the light spot between the two shoulders (where the head should be) looks like it could be a bill, in which case it would be an eagle of some sort, but I can't tell for sure if that's what it is. If it is an eagle, it's most likely a sub-adult bald eagle. I suspect you could get a better scan out of it, maybe at 300 dpi. The picture is b/w I assume...make sure you use grayscale when you scan it...it would be nice if you could pick up on some of the shading. As for posture, it could definitely be an eagle considering it looks like it just took off from the perch to its left...I think John will agree that's a possibility. John's seen a few raptors to make a good call...I just don't think this one is that easily decided (or maybe it was the lack of politeness that got to me).
Either way, the bugs are way down in the park right now, so if you stay out of the deep bush you can do some decent birding. Snake Bight is picking up with migrant shorebirds too...put away the old photos and take some new ones! (color, film or digital, with immediate identification and three witnesses please!) ;o)
good birding
David
(ps. I've sent an edited picture detailing the possible bill area to Paul to post because I don't know how....)