A photographer's shot of a rare adult spotted bald eagle along the banks of the Nooksack River has been making the birding circles after it appeared on the National Geographic Daily News blog.

Traci Walter took the photo of the bird Jan. 6 as it and others were feeding. The bird's plumage is mostly dark but is offset by white spots. While younger eagles have mottled plumage, this is clearly an adult based on its beak, eyes and all-white head. A bald eagle expert told National Geographic it's likely from a genetic mutation that affects pigment in feathers.

For a link to the blog that has the photo and more about the bird and how Walter got the shot, click here.