About one year ago this young eagle was making the transition from being egg-bound to breathing air! This photo was made at Jordan Lake in late December 2024. The eaglet has survived, thrived and is eager to face the next year of life. Happy New Year young eagle!

PSA: as a veterinarian I have been following the avian influenza H5N1 (bird flu) problem. I wanted you to know that not only is the influenza killing birds – nationwide over the past 2 years, we’ve lost over 660 BALD EAGLES to it – but that the bird flu is being transmitted to CATS both through raw milk and now certain cat foods. The link below will help you know if the food you are feeding to your companion might be contaminated.

https://apnews.com/article/cat-pet-food-bird-flu-oregon-recall-06e944714a3e703cf4913f88533c6a33

Bald eagles really enjoy cold weather. They’re even happier if it’s a very windy cold weather day. On the left is the female bald eagle and on the right is her mate. They are both eager to get up and out and about and continue preparations for the breeding season.

It is the beginning of bald eagle breeding season at Jordan Lake. Captain Doug and I found this Dad bald eagle trying to work a branch into an area of the nest that needed repair before eggs could be safely laid. He is persistent!