ok was that an eagle?

[David the park stroller]

Walking in high park yesterday @ 10:30 a huge raptor swept over. It clearly wasn't an osprey, a vulture or a big red-tail. [I know those well.]  Had my binoculars and it was clearly "eagle" shape and form BUT it was quite light-coloured. Strong light/buff mark at the tail base and under the wings. It looked a lot like the under-pattern of a golden eagle [in the giuides] but it seemed much lighter, buff coloured in tone than the ones ilustrated in the guides. Is there a light phase? Another ID suggestion? Thanks!

[Kin Lau]

A few Rough-legged hawks are coming thru now also and they're about the same size as a RTH and would seem to match your description.

[GStuart]

Also remember that eagles take about five years to reach maturity and most bird books only show one picture and label it "immature".  There are many different looks of both an immature bald and golden eagle.

[David the park stroller]

Thanks, I googled a lot of different golden eagle images and I'm now pretty sure that's what I saw.  The size was the deciding factor. It was definitely bigger than the osprey, easily vulture size. Exciting for me, it's first Ive seen in High Park although I know they've been reported there by the "pro's" up on Hawk hill.