Submitted on behalf of my wife, Liz. - Harry Armistead.
 
This bird was seen from the dock area of our yard at Rigby's Folly on Ferry Neck, Talbot County, last Saturday.  Note that Wayne Bell et al. saw a similarly-plumaged Golden the same day at Taylor's Island, perhaps the same bird!  These birds (this bird?) are (is) really early.
 
Golden Eagle:  Observed at close range (within 30 yards and one binocular field above horizon with 8 X 42 Bausch & Lomb Elite binoculars), bright sunlight from behind, facing NW over Lucy Point at 11:30 AM.  The bird approached appearing to be nearly black and an eagle.  The white patch at the base of the tail was bordered with a dark terminal band.  At close range the bird began to circle and clearly showed golden shoulders and upper back with a tan head.  The bird remained closely visible for about 15 minutes before sailing over a row of trees in a southerly direction.  After checking in Sibley and the National Geographic guide in our house, I returned to look for the bird over Irish Creek and found it soaring, gaining altitude very high over Irish Creek.  At this distance the head and back of the bird still showed light brown or tan in color.  At a distance, the bird’s head seemed smaller than that of bald eagles which are very familiar to me (an adult BAEA was also seen today).  It did not have any of the irregular light or white blotches that many immature Bald Eagles have.  On this same date Wayne Bell et al. saw a Golden Eagle of similar plumage at Taylor’s Island, several times in the course of the day.  We are waiting to hear the times when that bird was seen since the same individual may have been involved in both counties. – Liz Armistead. 		 	   		  
_________________________________________________________________
Bing™  brings you maps, menus, and reviews organized in one place.   Try it now.
http://www.bing.com/search?q=restaurants&form=MLOGEN&publ=WLHMTAG&crea=TEXT_MLOGEN_Core_tagline_local_1x1