Eagles are a super sight

The Eagles of Philadelphia are attracting crowds at the Super Bowl this weekend, but the eagles of Peachtree City have been getting their fair share of spectators, too.

For the past month, bird watchers have been flocking to Lake Peachtree to see a pair of adult bald eagles and two juveniles dive for fish and perch among the tall pines. Although the adults are nesting near Lake McIntosh, they prefer to dine at Lake Peachtree. And their activities have been a feast for the eyes.

On a recent sunny Saturday, tripods lined the shore of Battery Park like a row of black flamingoes. More than two dozen photographers, most with giant lenses, came from as far away as Rome to stand in their baseball caps and camo to wait for the eagles to appear.

The birds are most active in the morning and early evening, and there can be a lot of waiting. The Loch Ness Monster could emerge from the main body of the lake, but no one would notice because all eyes are facing the small cove that’s become Fayette’s latest soundstage.

But when the eagles zoom in to snatch a snack, the sound of shutters clicking mimics the rapid heartbeats of those fortunate

enough to see these magnificent birds up close. The female eagles are larger than the males, and the juvenile birds are a mottled brown and white before their pure white heads mature at around age four or five. According to the Georgia

Department of Natural Resources, there were 218 bald eagle nests documented in the state in 2017, of which 142 produced at least one hatchling. Bald eagles are known to nest in at least 68 Georgia counties, often along the coast but also in areas with open water and large trees, including the lower

Chattahoochee and Flint River corridors. Federal law requires observers to stay at least 330 feet away from an eagle’s nest, which can reach 10 feet in diameter and are often used for multiple years.

Local nature photographer Dan Nelson has posted amazing pictures of the eagles on Facebook, and his photos are on display at the local Wild Birds Unlimited store and in the book “The Majestic Eagles of Peachtree City.”

Photographer Tom Wilson has driven here from Woodstock repeatedly to capture images of the eagles. Wilson says he enjoys seeing the birds but also sees the larger picture.

“I think this is the value of greenspace,” he says. “Even if you don’t get a picture the first time, just enjoy seeing it.” Herons, hawks, ducks and geese are almost always in sight even when the eagles aren’t.

Peachtree City spokesperson Betsy Tyler says the popularity of eagle watching “shows how much both wildlife and our residents enjoy these spaces. The eagles have certainly developed quite a dedicated following in their new hangout.”

So grab a lawn chair and a camera and come on over. There won’t be any beer commercials or marching bands, but if you’re lucky, you’ll be treated to a super show.