Update on the injured Bald Eagle

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Update on the injured Bald Eagle

November 5, 2014 by Mike Powell

I received an update from the Animal Control Officer who rescued the Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) featured in yesterday’s posting and the prognosis looks positive.

The eagle had a low heart rate, according to the attending veterinarian, likely from pesticide poisoning, and they treated it with atropine. The eagle, an 8 pound (3.6 kg) female, also had a dislocated joint in one wing, which is treatable as well. It is likely they will be able to release her after some rehabilitation at a specialized facility in southern VA, which I assume is The Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro, Virginia.

I took the first photo when the eagle was trying to swim away while being rescued. The image is not quite as sharp as the photos from yesterday, but I just love the reflection of the eagle in the water as it struggles to swim. This was in a wooded area of Huntley Meadows Park, my favorite venue for photography, that is now flooded as part of a wetland restoration project. The second photo shows the eagle as it was when I first came upon it, perched on a pile of brush, unable to fly away.

Posted in animals, Art, Autumn, Nature, Photography, wildlife | Tagged Alexandria VA, Animal Control Services, Bald Eagle, Canon 50D, Canon 70-300mm telephoto zoom lens, eagle, Fairfax County, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Huntley Meadows Park, injured Bald Eagle, rescue | 13 Comments

13 Responses

on November 5, 2014 at 7:08 am | Reply iseebeautyallaroundbyrobpaine

great work Mike. and what good news that the eagle will be nurtured back to good health
on November 5, 2014 at 7:19 am | Reply Dan Antion

Thanks for the update. It’s so good to hear that she’s getting the care that she needs. As for the likely cause of pesticide poisoning, that’s just sad.
on November 5, 2014 at 7:42 am | Reply New Hampshire Gardener

I’m glad to hear that she’s going to make it. Thanks for keeping us informed.
on November 5, 2014 at 7:55 am | Reply Cindy Jones

Good to hear she will recover.
on November 5, 2014 at 8:11 am | Reply donna213

I am glad the eagle got rescued. Sad day for wildlife with all the poisons we spread around. It is nice the wetland is getting rehabbed too. Too many are lost each year.
on November 5, 2014 at 9:41 am | Reply James Keegan

Thanks for the update Mike. I’m happy to hear that the eagle will make a recovery. They are such beautiful creatures.
on November 5, 2014 at 11:39 am | Reply Amy

Thank you for sharing the good news, Mike!
on November 5, 2014 at 12:49 pm | Reply Sue

Thanks for the update, Mike, with good news. She was probably suffering from malnutrition, as well. I’m glad someone’s quick thinking got her some help!
on November 5, 2014 at 1:55 pm | Reply caleephotography

Good shots, Mike! And good news too. 🙂
on November 5, 2014 at 3:19 pm | Reply Sarah Longes - Mirador Design

Fantastic news! Thanks for updating us. Just goes to show how dangerous all these chemicals are when they get into the food chain.
on November 5, 2014 at 4:21 pm | Reply svtakeiteasy

Great news. Thanks for the update Mike. Chris
on November 26, 2014 at 9:07 am | Reply James J. S. Johnson

Thanks for caring Mike — and your photography is stunning! God has a special appreciation for the birds He made — Genesis 7:3 indicates that every kind of bird was preserved within the Ark, “by sevens”, regardless of whether they were “clean” or not. So bird-watching really is Biblical. : )
on November 27, 2014 at 5:09 am | Reply dog biting its leg

❤ Great! ❤