Yeah, bald eagles are impressive birds, like most eagles. They always look so serious. Well, being a national symbol is a big responsibility, may be thats why.
I wonder what this guy is on the photo (not the turtles). Is it some kind of porkupine, with extra nasty small quills?
The green and yellow turtle is quiet pretty, btw. Almost looks like a graffity artist had a go at it.
I should have identified that little guy! He's a pocket gopher, native to North and Central America. They're great tunnelers, with sharp claws and teeth, and they tend to destroy gardens and lawns--not very popular. In the movie Caddyshack, a much cuter gopher plays a major part.
I've always thought bald eagles look so serious because every time they're spotted someone tries to either shoot them or take their picture--and they just dont' like the attention, either way.
"Fred, stop laughing! There is someone with a camera! Oh crap - too late..."
A gopher, ok. I thought they are somehow... leaner.
Animals at our state parks tend to be, shall we say, more generous in proportions compared to in other areas. Humans keep getting told not to feed them ... but they do anyway. I actually had to fight a raccoon once to get him away from our dog's food, because they've lost their fear of people.
Yes, the problem with people feeding wild animal we have here, too. Especially with wild pigs that can become a danger. And other, like racoons, just steal what they want. As you say, from food bowls of dogs and cats, or from compost piles or bins. Well, if we invade their habitats, we don't need to be surprised about that.
Btw., this gopher, is that a kind of marmot? Because those vary enormously in weight over the year. Some quadruple it during the warm season, and lose equaly much during the winter. So it may be normal for them to look a bit round now.
The gopher is indeed part of the marmot group. I sound really intelligent saying that, but I actually had to look it up. Now we both know!