• Saturday-What'sUP October 3 - 10:17 pm

George Hoyem recently had a different kind of visitor pull up to his dock on Portage Lake. Talk about being in the right place at the right time and I'm not talking about the Eagle, either, I'm talking about George snapping the first shot, just as the Eagle touches down on the dock. Then the second photo, he captured it sitting there balancing, clinging to the boat cleat on the dock. Very neat to be perched there like that, so I zoomed the photo in to get a better look at this regal looking bird. I'm not sure if this is a Golden Eagle or perhaps an immature Bald Eagle. What do you think?

I am surprised that the eagle is more comfortable perched on the boat cleat rather than just standing on the dock. I guess that's how their feet are designed.

Bald eagle. Takes years for the adult look of white head and tail. I don't believe golden eagles are native to this area.

Is that bird coming in for a landing or kicking off for further flight after getting its picture taken? I'd have thought the landing would have the feet closer together. Either way it's a handsome shot. Those are awesome birds, must have given George a rush to see it that up close!

What a sight to see on your own boat dock!!
I agree that is probably a bald eagle--an immature.
Takes some time for them to "age." Sure are a serious looking bird.

The first picture looks like a new dance move. Do a little dance, make a little love, get down tonight! You're all singing that song now, aren't you?

Good catch George!

Yes, it's a Bald Eagle. It will attain full adult plumage at 4 years of age; not only will the head and tail be white, but the beak will also be yellow.

Fine pictures of a lovely bird.

Wonderful pictures, George! Whoa! Thanks.

In the 3rd picture it looks like it's using one toe to keep its balance on the cleat.
Beautiful bird and great shots!

I hereby name thee "Cletus". ;-)

By all appearances with the amount of white this would be a second year bird. 1st. would be mostly all dark, 3rd would have more white and particular the head would be showing much white.

Golden Eagles while a bird mostly of the west are becoming more common in the east and Michigan all over in recent years, particularly in migration. I'm sure several can be seen passing over Brockway at this time of year! One easy way to tell an immature Golden even way overhead are the distinct 1-2-3 spots of white, one in the middle of each wing, one at the base of the tail! Adults are all dark with the golden hue head.

Yes, great pics!

What a noble looking bird!

WOW!!!! That is just FABULOUS!!!! I bet your "goosebumps" were popping!

they are good eating

The eagle is the U.S.'s national bird. Why would you want to eat one, Walter?

We saw, what we knew was a bald eagle, flying around the sky in Munising. I could clearly see the white head and tale.

We saw, what we knew was a bald eagle, flying around the sky in Munising. we could clearly see the white head and tale.

That was an Interesting comment about the age of the Eagle dictating its color. Full disclosure, my friend Marshall Durston took this photo. I was there but it was his photo so he deserves full credit!

I was there when Marshall Durston snapped this photo (uploaded by Bootjack local George Hoyem), and Richard Barclay is right: this was a take-off, into the wind, not a landing. Very astute, Mr. Barclay!