ML645562330

Observation details

Hope I have this right?? Driving west on Lancaster I noticed a large raptor on the field to the north. I turned around down the road to come back and it had taken flight. I was only able to take once decent picture. Usually I assume by default that any eagle within a few miles of lakes or rivers is a Bald Eagle and assumed this to also be so until I pulled this up on the computer. Based on the head projection (clearly less than half the tail length) the yellow cere showing (not so great in this photo), definitive whitish wing patch at the base of the primaries and the lack of extensive white underwing coverts, it appeared that this was a possible sub-adult Golden Eagle. Based on this being November 20th, I am guessing the default position of Bald Eagle is the responsible choice.