As I was wandering about yesterday in a remote area of my favorite park, the sharp eyes of a younger fellow photographer permitted him to spot a Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) in a distant tree. The eagle’s even keener vision meant that it spotted us too and shortly thereafter departed.
In a shot of the eagle flying away, I noticed that the eagle seems to be carrying something. However, when I zoomed in on the next shot I took, in which I managed to cut off the eagle’s wings, it looks like the eagle’s left foot is dark and withered and is very different from the yellow right foot.
Am I seeing things? Is this an injury or merely an optical illusion?
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
It does look a bit odd!
Great capture Mike. I think you’re right, but I hope you’re wrong.
Thanks, Dan. Your analysis matches mine. I really don’t want to believe the eagle has an injury like that. It’s tough enough to survive for them when they are able-bodied.
Interesting observation. I’ve zoomed in to your shots as much as I can and one foot does look a bit peculiar in form as well as colour.
The photos were taken from a pretty good distance, so they are not quite as sharp as I would have liked. You seem to have noticed the same things that I did. On my Facebook page, folks have speculated that the darkness is caused by shadows, by mud, or by a recent prey, but the leg and talons to me seem to be not only dark, but thinner as well.
Yes, the shape of the talons is peculiar.
I am always stunned by what they can see as the fly over at such heights.
From what I too have read, Charlie, and eagle’s eyesight is incredible.
Trap injuries in Eagles are common here, especially in northern MN. But I would hope they wouldnt run into that in your area.
I don’t think there is trapping done in this area, but another reader suggested that tangled fishing line could cause a problem. I really am hoping that the darkness of that leg is a result of shadows and not an injury, but fear that the latter is the case.
I’ve heard that fishing line tangled around a birds foot can cut off circulation and cause problems much like what is seen here.
Thanks for the info, Allen. I really want to believe that the leg is ok and that it is only covered by mud, but to my eyes it looks like there is a problem. Your idea makes sense to me.