Eagle on ice (why?) (1 Viewer)

[tenex]

We visited a large lake several days ago on a sunny day (temp ~50 F) with hundreds of ducks on the open water and some gulls all about. Smaller lakes are entirely frozen now so this was the place to be. A couple of raptors were perched too far away for us to ID (must get a scope), and closer to us a Bald Eagle was just standing on the ice the entire time we were there (at least 25 min), only looking around now and then. Why? Is ice reflective enough to offer attractive warmth? (The Colorado sun felt warm enough to us on its own.) It didn't look particularly transparent either.

 

[Nutcracker]

Probably just having a rest in a reasonably safe place!

 

[Deb Burhinus]

It’s very common for Bald Eagles to stand on ice - waiting for ducks/geese to become weak from hunger and make easy pickings - it’s also a good perch to fish from if near an open patch of water as it was in this case!