Grandfather Mountain is mourning the loss of an 11-year-old bald eagle. Ajax the bald eagle died on Wednesday following complications from an infection he developed. “We will miss his strength and confidence,” said Christie Tipton, animal habitats curator for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. “He was always so regal and stately.”

Ajax was often seen flying between perches in his habitat, swimming in the pond and sharing perches with Griffin, another bald eagle.