My heartbeat accelerates every time I see a Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), a combination of patriotism and awe at the power and beauty of this majestic bird.
Normally the eagles are soaring high in the sky, making it almost impossible for me to get a decent shot. Last Saturday, though, one of them seem to be hunting and circled around me a couple of times at a somewhat lower altitude, which allowed me to get some shots of the eagle in different flight positions.
I took these shots from the same spot at my marshland park where I recently saw an otter, a fox, and a raccoon. If only the park would let me pitch a tent in there.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
It’s easy to see whay such a beautiful, majestic bird was chosen for the national bird. Your title reminded me of the Marshall Tucker Band’s song “Fly Like an Eagle” so now I’m going to have to hear it.
The song reference was purely intentional. 🙂
Those are beautiful shots. We have eagles nesting along the river. I’ve seen them but never when I’ve had a camera or could get the picture. Good job!
Thanks, Dan. Like most of the folks who try to photograph birds, I always wish for a bigger lens of a closer bird, but anytime I see a bald eagle, I count it as a special day.
Do you have flying dreams? I love them and find that they sometimes come after I’ve had the privilege of watching a soaring bird. You’re so right–the eagles are truly magnificent. I feel the same way about buzzards in flight and hope that I can see a condor some day.
Eagles, vultures, hawks–they always amaze me, though I don’t recall having flying dreams. I’m hoping to get some shots of an owl this winter. I saw one in flight this month and was surprised to see how wide a wing span that it had.
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