I just came back from a (successful) weekend of deer hunting up at Lake Russell Wildlife Management Area, about 6 miles south of Toccoa. While I was hiking out of the woods yesterday morning, I looked up to observe a beautiful sky with some vultures circling in the first thermals of the day. Upon closer examination, I noticed that one of the turkey vultures wasn't a turkey vulture at all, but an IMMATURE GOLDEN EAGLE. I was surprised enough to call Charlie Muise about it, who kindly posted my sighting on GABO for me.

I was at approximately 1300', one of the highest peaks in this area. The Golden Eagle had white windows at the base of the primaries, white at the base of the tail, and a completely dark brown body, underwing (minus the windows) and head. Thank goodness I always carry my birding binoculars with me while hunting! I saw the bird for about 15-30 seconds before it soared off to the west and I lost it behind trees. Talk about an amazing, serendipitous find! It was an amazing weekend in general, and I now have deer meat in my freezer to boot! Can't get any better than that.