The Eagle’s Shot
Sometimes the subject shoots first
Coming in for landing with breakfast
There is one subject for nature photographers that never seems to get dull. That is photographing bald eagles. They are big, beautiful birds that are simply amazing to watch in flight. I think one reason for that is because they are so big, they are slow moving as far as birds are concerned. They are so graceful to watch as they turn, glide and dive. Most birds do all this so fast that we cannot even appreciate the complexity of what they are doing.
Hargis Creek Watershed
There have been a few eagles wintering in my town, at one point we counted 14. The little watershed lake they have been hanging around is a place local residents fish a lot, but my thinking is 14 eagles snatching fish out of there is likely making the supply pretty tight. There are still a couple of mature eagles hanging around there, but the others have moved on.
The ice almost gone after the big freeze.
Both sides of this little lake are city park and there are numerous places you can drive right to shoreline. Makes for a fantastic photo opportunity as these birds roost and hunt in reasonably close proximity. At bigger lakes it can be nearly impossible to get close enough for a good shot at one. I tend to stop by there several times a week just to see if another great picture is presenting itself. Yesterday one of the eagles was sitting in the dead tree they love, but for me was on the wrong branch and I just could not get a clean shot.
Hargis Creek Watershed north end.
Eagle perched at Hargis Creek Watershed.
I got some decent perching shots, and then the eagle went into a crouch preparatory to take off. I had the camera pointed at the bird and ready to catch the glory of a takeoff. Oops, all we got was a backfire…
Who wants to come and hang out below the eagle tree with me?
Suffering from my disappointment with the eagle, I noticed this small branch dangling in the air. I have no idea what crime this branch committed, but the sentence was hanging.
