Title: Leucistic Bald Eagle On Whidbey Island
Location: Whidbey Island, Washington, USA, North America
Description: This is a new one for me. I have never heard of a Leucistic Bald Eagle until someone in the local birding group on Whidbey pointed out there had been on earlier in the day spotted in Oak Harbor. By the timing of it, I spotted this one about 30 minutes later about 30 miles south.
Leucism is like albinism but different. In this case it causes the eagle to lose pigmentation in its skin and wings (but not the head and only partially on the talons, which are also yellow).
At first I thought it might just be a juvenile. But juveniles have dark or mostly dark heads and this eagle clearly has adult plumage. I wish I had a better picture but the bird was quite far off. Maybe it will be around another time.
Camera: Canon EOS 7D Mark II
Lens: Sigma 150-600mm Sport
ISO: 4000
Focal Length: 600mm
Aperture: f/6.3
Shutter Speed: 1/5000
Altitude: Sea Level
Photograph Copyright 2018 Peter West Carey. Image Available For Commercial Licensing (email).
Prints of this image are available here if you want professional quality shipped to your home.
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