Need identification for my grandson

[Terri French]

We are staying in St. George, Utah for a couple of days. My grandson and I saw this bird this afternoon. It was far away but we could tell that it was very big. This is a horrible photo, but I'm wondering if someone could tell me what kind of bird it is. We were guessing maybe a Golden Eagle, but are not sure.

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[djinco]

I would saw with about 80% accuracy that this is an immature Golden Eagle. Of course I could be 20% wrong.
Great image!

 

[Mike Buckley]

I don't know about the bird but I do remember that one of the longest of the longtime Cafe members, Gordon (greyflash), lives in St. George.

 

[Terri French]

I don't know about the bird but I do remember that one of the longest of the longtime Cafe members, Gordon (greyflash), lives in St. George.

Yes. Gordon does live here. Lucky person.....it’s beautiful here.

 

[Terri French]

I would saw with about 80% accuracy that this is an immature Golden Eagle. Of course I could be 20% wrong.
Great image!

Thank you, Doug! Wish I had been closer. I was watching the kids swim when it flew over.

 

[Mitchell]

We love St. George! Try to make your way over to Snow Canyon State Park for some beautiful, easy and accessible hiking.

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[Terri French]

We love St. George! Try to make your way over to Snow Canyon State Park for some beautiful, easy and accessible hiking.

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Thanks, Mitch. We spent the day there yesterday. We are with our grandsons ages 6, 4, 2 and the hikes were perfect for them. They loved the sand dunes. My son-in-law’s parents just bought a large, beautiful second home here for their family to vacation in. My daughter invited us to come and spend the weekend here with them. We are coming back in March for spring break with more of the family. I’m very grateful! We will probably be coming here at least a couple of times a year now. I’m sure Snow Canyon will become a favorite place.

 

[Mitchell]

Thanks, Mitch. We spent the day there yesterday. We are with our grandsons ages 6, 4, 2 and the hikes were perfect for them. They loved the sand dunes. My son-in-law’s parents just bought a large, beautiful second home here for their family to vacation in. My daughter invited us to come and spend the weekend here with them. We are coming back in March for spring break with more of the family. I’m very grateful! We will probably be coming here at least a couple of times a year now. I’m sure Snow Canyon will become a favorite place.

That's great! We try to go there over December and stay at a resort right outside the park. You will have so much to explore! The petrified dunes are great for the little kids. Also some nice slot canyons for them to explore right off the road. As they get older, there is a nice bike trail and some more extensive hikes. It's really a gem.

 

[Terri French]

That's great! We try to go there over December and stay at a resort right outside the park. You will have so much to explore! The petrified dunes are great for the little kids. Also some nice slot canyons for them to explore right off the road. As they get older, there is a nice bike trail and some more extensive hikes. It's really a gem.

It sure is!

 

[fishbio]

We are staying in St. George, Utah for a couple of days. My grandson and I saw this bird this afternoon. It was far away but we could tell that it was very big. This is a horrible photo, but I'm wondering if someone could tell me what kind of bird it is. We were guessing maybe a Golden Eagle, but are not sure.

It's a juvenile Bald Eagle with 100% certainty.

 

[Terri French]

It's a juvenile Bald Eagle with 100% certainty.

Thank you so much!

 

[West]

top = bald
bottom = golden

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[fishbio]

top = bald
bottom = golden

Those all look like Goldens to me. The "gold" on the nape gives them away.

 

[Louis Champan]

I think it's a juvenile Bald Eagle.

 

[West]

More on the subject ...
https://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/journals/nab/v037n05/p00822-p00826.pdf

 

[fishbio]

More on the subject ...
https://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/journals/nab/v037n05/p00822-p00826.pdf

None of the Bald Eagle images from the paper are in your post above.

 

[Terri French]

Thank you all. My six year old grandson is very curious and was happy to know he saw an eagle. I learned a lot from your kind replies and discussion.