Heading back up the canal tow path about 5:30 this afternoon, I noticed a
very large and dark raptor gliding S.E.over the canal.
I tried to make it an immature Bald Eagle or a Turkey Vulture,but it was
clearly neither. No mottling, no white or other distinctive marking on the
underside; just dark with the front half of the wings appearing darker than
the back half.  Initially, I could not ID the bird.  Upon returning home I
checked my copy of Brian Wheeler: Raptors of Eastern North America, and
realized I had seen an adult Golden Eagle. The bird looked exactly like the
photos on page p. 341, Plates  445 and 446. Very surprising bird for that
Location.
-- 
Donald Sweig
Falls Church, Va.

############################

To unsubscribe from the MDOSPREY list:
write to: mailto:[log in to unmask]
or click the following link:
http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa.exe?SUBED1=MDOSPREY&A=1