Although, one of the most important local raptors, the Osprey, has yet to arrive at the Lake, April is a great month for observing raptors. The reason is simple: there is good hunting for them as the snow is off some of the ground, and the trees are still bare of leaves, so their hunting perches are easily seen. The pictures below show merlins, red-tailed hawks and various ages of eagles seen around the Lake in April.
The Kootenay-Lake Website offers a discussion and more pictures of the local eagles, merlins, hawks.
A half-year old bald eagle looks quiet different than the adult. 
This one-and-a-half year old Bald Eagle is finishing up hs meal of another bird.
This nearly adult Bald Eagle is having a bad hair day.
A merlin looks down from a tree and decides whether the photographer would make a good meal.
A Red-tailed Hawk keeps an eye out for voles as it sits on one leg (note the claw protruding from the belly feathers).