Harlem Eagle

Since the opening of the Harlem Piers I have always appreciated its close views of Hudson River bird traffic, all the while knowing that Bald Eagles sometimes ply these fish rich waters. While last year I had those amazing canvasbacks, no luck with Eagles. So today, as I was about to head into Fairway, I scanned the rough ice and to my surprise, found a bald eagle in almost complete adult plumage. As Murphy and his Godforsaken law would have it, I was without my camera. I ran back to get my camera with surprising adrenaline. The trip back was not as easy...but to my great relief, the Eagle remained.

The gulls gave it a wide birth, but remained on the fringes. After some time, it lit out over the ice, in great broad strokes,

making its way over Riverbank State Park, where it was harassed by crows!


After working still farther north, the resident redtails came in for a few close passes, but it was so far off the pix arent really worth posting. The two hawks did pair up and work their way down past me.

Its the male that was in the CCNY nest and the large female with dark eyes that's always hunting over the Dwyer. Reminder, the 5th Annual Hawk Walk is next Sunday (weather permitting).

PS Here's a great article about Eagles returning to Manhattan!