A pair of American Bald Eagles have made their nest within 23 miles of the City of Sacramento, the closest ever recorded.
Independent photojournalist Susan Skinner has been documenting the eagles at their home along the American River near Folsom for more than a year now.
From royalty to raptors -- A former photographer assigned to covering the British Royal family and the late Princess Diana is now spending her time photographing nature.
You can view Susan’s “American River Nature Blog” by clicking here.
America’s national bird has made a remarkable comeback after edging on the on the verge of extinction just four decades ago. Their natural habitats were destroyed and food contamination prevented repopulation, according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
The large birds are no longer on the endangered list, however they remain federally protected.
After learning that a pair of eagles may have made their way to nest near Folsom, Skinner, who recently became an American citizen from New Zealand – Set out to find and photograph them.
She spent months looking for the 14 pound brown bodied raptors with a signature white crown and seven foot wingspan. Skinner first saw the soaring icon in 2016 when she began her yearlong project.
“High on the bluff I saw them,” Skinner said. “And it was just an unforgettable sight.”
Skinner spends a few hours just about every day photographing the mother, father, and two baby eagles. She hopes one day she can contribute her project to science and present it to schools.