Some days, a bird shows up that makes me slow down and pay attention. On January 15, 2023, I photographed an immature bald eagle at Charleston City Lake in Arkansas.
It was a good reminder that the “brown phase” eagles can be just as interesting as the adults.
Wildlife Notes
Adult bald eagles are easy to spot with their white head and tail. Immature bald eagles look completely different. They are mostly dark brown with messy-looking white mottling that varies from bird to bird.
This eagle did not have the crisp white head and tail of an adult. Instead, the body and wing feathers showed a mix of brown and white. That mixed pattern is one of the easiest field marks for a young eagle.
A quick note on eyes and bill color: young bald eagles typically start out with darker eyes, and their bill is not the bright adult yellow at first. Both tend to lighten as the bird matures. The full adult look usually takes several years.
Growing Into Adulthood
Watching an eagle “grow up” is interesting because it happens in stages. Each year, the bird’s plumage usually shifts a bit. The mottled pattern slowly cleans up, and the white head and tail gradually become more obvious.
I like photographing immature eagles because you can’t just glance and move on. You have to study them. Every individual looks a little different.
Photography Notes
I made this photo at Charleston City Lake at 9:39 a.m. on January 15, 2023. I was using a long lens setup that let me stay back and still fill the frame.
Gear used
- Camera: Canon EOS R7
- Lens: Canon RF 800mm F11 IS STM
Settings
- Aperture: f/11 (fixed)
- Shutter speed: 1/2500
- ISO: 1000 (Auto)
- Focal length: 800mm (fixed)
At 800mm, small movements show up fast, so I like a shutter speed like 1/2500 for a perched raptor, especially if there’s any wind or head movement. With the R7’s crop sensor reach, this setup can be a very practical way to photograph raptors at a distance.
Closing
I’m always happy to find bald eagles at this lake, but immature birds are the ones that make me look twice. They are still unmistakably eagles, but they carry that rough, in-between look that tells you they’re not done growing yet. If you want to see another moment from that awkward-young-eagle stage, here’s a fun one: Young Bald Eagle Shows Off Hopping Skills