[EBB Sightings] Bald Eagle near Briones Dam, Sep 9 2006 1:00pm

I saw a Bald Eagle, and what I believe to be its juvenile Bald 
Eagle near Briones Dam about a week ago.

On Saturday, Sept 9, 2006, at about 1:00pm PDT, I was riding my 
bike along Bear Creek Road. I was headed eastbound from its 
western end at San Pablo Dam Road. I was still west of (and 
below) Briones Dam, at the following approximate location: 

   http://mapper1.acme.com/?lat=37.90902&long=-122.20852&scale=12&theme=Topo&width=5&height=3&dot=Yes

The skies were completely clear in this area (and also farther 
east). But the Bay was still foggy, and the ridgelines of Tilden 
and Wildcat Regional Parks were still cloaked in fog. The fog was 
poring vigorously over the ridges, evaporating quickly as it 
descended to the east.

I heard the cry of a large bird, stopped, and looked up. I saw 
what was clearly a Bald Eagle: its overall size, white head, and 
white tail/feet were utterly unmistakable. I am not a birder (yet?),
but have seen plenty of Bald Eagles in the wild at the Mississippi
River locks near St Louis, Mo. So again, despite my lack of birder
credentials, I am absolutely positive that this was a Bald Eagle.

Soon after I spotted it, the Bald Eagle was joined  by a fairly 
large, although somewhat smaller bird. The smaller bird lacked 
the white head and tail, and had a variety of shades of brown. 
The smaller bird came very close to the large Bald Eagle, and 
they cried again and did some quick but gentle maneuvers in very 
close proximity. The smaller bird slowly drifted away, as the 
large Bald Eagle turned circles, apparently riding a thermal.

I watched the Bald Eagle circle around for some time. I would have 
had enough time to grab by binocular and look more closely, but 
it was so close and easy to see that I did not feel the need. In 
fact, upon the Bald Eagle's last pass nearby, it was close enough 
that I could see movement in its face as it let out another loud 
cry! 

The Bald Eagle eventually headed northeast, in the general 
direction of San Pablo Reservoir.

I am guessing that the smaller bird was a juvenile Bald Eagle.

I joined this mailing list so that I could share this sighting 
with you all.

--
Dave Abercrombie          510-540-4772 x2113           122 15.303' W
abe at rahul.net            http://GetActive.com           37 50.953' N