Yesterday, for the second day in a row a Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) flew close to me at Huntley Meadows Park. Unlike the previous day, when the eagle simply soared by overhead, this one looked like he thought I might be a potential prey.
With the snow almost totally gone, I decided yesterday to hike out to some of the more remote regions of the park. I was following a familiar stream when I noticed a dark shape near the top of a tall tree on the opposite bank of the stream. I extended my lens to its full length and was surprised to see that it was a bald eagle.
I had time to shoot shoot only a couple of images when suddenly the eagle took off, initially heading right toward me. I kept firing as the eagle grew larger and larger in my viewfinder. I think I might have startled the eagle when I moved to bring the camera up to my eye and his instinctive reaction was to check out the movement.
Eventually the eagle veered off and flew in the opposite direction and my heart rate started to return to normal. I don’t think that I was actually at risk, but through a 600mm lens, it sure looked like the eagle was speeding toward me with talons extended.
I couldn’t help but notice that the eagle has a band on its right foot. Whenever I capture a shot of an eagle, I will have to check to see if I can see a band. I don’t know how many eagles hang out at our park, but eagle sightings have become much more common this last year than previously.
Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Spectacular shots of an imposing bird!
Thank you so much. I was fortunate to find myself in a good spot and reacted quickly enough to get these shots.
It certainly does look as though you’re being evaluated, in that second photo. And from the position of those talons in the last, he was ready to grab a snack. Neat shots — and quite an experience.
Great shots ! How cool!!
Amazing shots!
Can you imagine being a raccoon or a woodchuck and seeing that coming at you?
Wow, great shots. It was definately checking you out in the second image – those eyes! The talons in the last shot look scary!
Fabulous shots!
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What a terrific perspective on the eagle! The risk of being an eagle snack was worth it for those shots.
Amazing shots! That power and intense focus leaves little to the imagination
Carol
Thanks, Carol. “Intense” is a perfect word to describe the eagle.
You really got some amazing action shots, the detail is just stunning in your images.
Thanks, Charlie. I happened to find myself in a position to get these shots and am happy that I was able to react quickly enough to do so.
Good thing you avoided those talons. They look like they could have done some damage.
Wowza, Mr. Mike! That Eagle did not look happy to see you! Those talons are scary and they could really hurt you! I like these old photos too. You took these photos when I was only 2 years and 1 month old. That’s a long time ago! Did you know that Bald Eagles can live 20 years and longer? Gem and I looked it up cause I wondered if this Eagle could still be alive now. Thank you and Bye!
Thanks, Benjamin. When I was growing up, Bald Eagles were considered an endangered species. However, habitat protection as a result of the Endangered Species Act, the federal government’s banning of the pesticide DDT, and conservation actions have helped Bald Eagles make a remarkable recovery. They are no longer considered endangered, but are still protected. I hope that Bald Eagle from years ago is still alive. The refuge where I do a lot of my shooting has two eagle nests and every year it is exciting to try to get a look at the new eaglets (usually one of two of them in a nest).