CAMDEN — According to the locals at the Camden Snow Bowl late Friday morning, it was a beautiful day for skiing and snowboarding, with plenty of sun and great snow. Apparently, the road to Maine’s only coastal ski facility was also a popular spot for the national symbol - the bald eagle.

Primarily fish eaters, and creatures of habit, according to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, it makes sense that bald eagles would frequent Hosmer Pond Road. In summer, Hosmer Pond provides opportunities for eagles to pluck not only fish from the fresh water there, but also a variety of waterfowl that call the pond home.

This time of year though, eagles and other raptors like hawks, owls and osprey, must supplement their diets by scavenging carrion, as ice cover greatly limits open water food availability. Opportunities to hunt for voles, mice and other small rodents scurrying across snow and ice-covered freshwater bodies also help raptors remain healthy, and eventually feed the spring’s newest young.

Friday morning around 11:30, two bald eagles remained perched over Hosmer Pond Road, apparently unaffected by a reporter’s car as it passed back and forth, slowly cruised by and at one point, stopped directly underneath each for photos. Unfortunately, iPhones aren’t very well suited for these kinds of photos so the images lack the kind of quality, zoom and setting options available with a digital SLR when this kind of close-up opportunity presents itself.

Suffice it to say, given that eagles often watch frozen ponds for fishermen who have left fresh catch or bait unattended on the ice, and how easy the large brids can be to spot in leaf-less trees, passersby are advised to keep an eye out because it’s likely these two can be seen again.

Reach Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com