[Tweeters] Bald Eagles takes Rock Fish

[BRAD Liljequist via Tweeters]

Hi Tweets,

Treated to a really fun, felt like once in a lifetime sort of event.  Visiting friends who live on Point Joe on the south shore of San Juan Island.  Yesterday saw a bald eagle in water (close to kelp beds) - first time I've seen that - then pulled straight up and out, carrying a large (~24 inches) orange fish.  My immediate thought was rock fish, but thought that was impossible given their habitat.  The eagle flew to a head land and proceeded to feed.

I seen now online that Puget Sound rock fish do come to surface, esp kelp beds, to feed!  And looking at the fine Fishes of the Salish Sea V2, I see many of the resident rockfish - not able to ID which, but the shape/size was definitely a rock fish.

I did get two middling digiscope phone photos for anyone interested of eagle with fish on the rocks.

Brad Liljequist
Phinney Ridge, Seattle, WA
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