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Donal Hill > North American Wildlife > Birds

Birds Galleries

Hood Canal Eagles : During periods of low tides in late June and early July, an array of American Bald Eagles, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, forages along the Hood Canal in Washington State, seeking easy prey. The eagles shown in this gallery -- in various stages of maturity -- prey on small fish trapped in tidal pools on the mud flats. They also bicker with each other over prey and rob smaller birds, such as gulls and herons that share the exposed wetlands, also seeking a meal. At times, up to three dozen bald eagles may be seen in the area. In these photos, each of the flying birds has captured its next meal and is headed for a tall fir tree to devour it. American Bald Eagles achieve sexual maturity from four to five years of age. As bald eagles mature, eyes and beak gradually turn yellow. They acquire their signature white heads and tail feathers during their fourth year.

Hood Canal Eagles

California Least Terns : The California Least Tern, Sterna antillarum browni, is the country's smallest tern, and is listed by the U.S. Government as an endangered, migratory species. Because it nests in sand dunes along beaches and bays and because 90% of California's coastal wetlands have been destroyed by development, it has only limited nesting areas, some of which have been set aside in the San Diego area. Humans and other destructive forces are excluded from such preserves. These terns may frequently be seen hovering above their prey and then plunge-diving into the bay or ocean to catch a meal of small fish. Least terns migrate from the San Diego area in the late fall, although a number of first-year birds may be seen feeding throughout the winter and are mature enough to care for themselves.

California Least Terns

Miscellaneous Birds :

Miscellaneous Birds

La Jolla Pelicans : These images of California brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus), captured during the winter months of 2008-2009, depict birds at first light in La Jolla, California. These birds comprise the western subspecies of Pelecanus occidentalis found along both coasts of the United States. At the time these images were made, western pelicans were experiencing a widespread, mysterious, recently observed malady that disoriented and killed many birds from San Francisco to San Felipe in Baja California. Preliminary blood test results containing significant levels of domoic acid suggest that the sick birds ingested certain toxic algae. But the gaunt conditions of the birds suggests that domoic acid is not the only cause of the pelican die-off and that other agents are at work. West Coast pelicans are still on the U.S. Endangered Species List.

La Jolla Pelicans

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All text and photographs are copyright© Donal Hill and South Coronado Photo Company. All rights are reserved worldwide. This web site is intended purely for commercial purposes and the convenience of the customers of South Coronado Photo Company. No image may be copied, duplicated, modified or redistributed in whole or in part without the prior written permission of Donal Hill or South Coronado Photo Company. The South Coronado Photo Company logo of the circled bridge, boathouse, 3 birds and the text, "South Coronado Photo Company" is the trademark™ and property of Donal Hill and South Coronado Photo Company, 826 Orange Ave., #514, Coronado CA, 92118, phone: 619-435-2135, Web: southcoronadophoto.com.
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