Help Identify Me - Juvenile Eagle

Leaving Glacier National Park, just outside of Kalispell and West Glacier, in Montana, Cory was driving when all of a sudden I caught something out of the corner of my eye. I did a quick double take and told Cory to turn around. As he did so I confirmed it was a large bird of prey, but was unsure what it was. I was in the passenger seat and the large bird was on the opposite side shoulder of a 4 lane road. So as we made the U-turn, the bird was now on my right slightly up a hill about 10 feet from the road way.

Luckily, I had my camera out and ready. We had just spent all day in Glacier National Park and were heading back to our hotel, but I had not put my camera equipment away. I quickly lowered my window and snapped a few shots, as Cory pulled up. Unfortunately we got too close and the large bird took off. I managed to get what I think are 3 relatively good shots, perhaps the best of them is at the top of this post.

As for identification, I am looking for help here. I am sure that this is an eagle. I am pretty sure it is a juvenile eagle. But I am not sure whether it is a juvenile golden eagle or a juvenile bald eagle. All the research I have done in the last several months tells me that both types of eagles look very similar to each other in the juvenile stages of life. The books and websites I have seen suggest that there are nuances differentiating the two, but I really don't understand, nor can I visually distinguish between the stock photos of the two types of eagles. If any one has any idea what type of juvenile eagle this is please let me know.

I have taken many bald eagle photos over the years, and the adult individuals are obviously identifiable. I may have seen an adult golden eagle around the Mississippi River recently near Anoka, MN, unfortunately I didn't get any really good photos of that. But it is still fun to photograph these large birds of prey.

Bald Eagle, also near Kalispell, MT.

Bald Eagle in fall foliage, White Bear Lake, MN.

Bald eagle calling for its mate along the Mississippi River in Anoka, MN.

Bald Eagle right out side my bay window devouring a red squirrel in front of me.

As you can see the adult individuals are pretty easy to identify. But the juvenile eagle at the beginning of this post is driving me crazy. What type of eagle is it? If you can help me, please message me using my 'Contact Me' application at the bottom of my website home page or leave a comment to the blog post. Any suggestion or information is welcome. Thanks.

#Eagles #BaldEagles #GoldenEagles #GlacierNationalPark #NationalPark #WestGlacier #Kalispell #Montana #Photography #Wildlife #Bird #Nature