A couple years ago, we asked you—our followers and supporters—to share your best bald eagle images. And you did not disappoint!

Springtime heralds the return of migrating birds to our region, and these visitors come right on the heels (talons?) of bald eagles who migrate every winter to the Skagit River to feed on returning salmon. In 1976, The Nature Conservancy, local landowners and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife created the Skagit River Bald Eagle Natural Area. Today, this area preserves 9,000 acres of eagle habitat, 10 miles of river and thousands of forest acres.

As we celebrate birds this month, we want to share our favorite audience-submitted bald eagle photos, along with a few favorite images from our vault. Even though many eagles have moved beyond their winter migration to Washington, it’s always a good time for a closer look at these iconic raptors.