Eagle takeoff sequence

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Eagle takeoff sequence

February 8, 2016 by Mike Powell

I usually miss the takeoff sequence of a Bald Eagle, because the eagle spots me before I see it, but this weekend I managed to capture a series of shots of one such takeoff.

My first indication of an eagle’s presence is often when I see it flying away. Several times this past weekend, however, I spotted a Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) perched in the trees at Huntley Meadows Park and I was able to observe the eagle for at least a few minutes at a time.

In the case of these images, I was looking across a beaver pond at the eagle as it perched in the trees. In the first couple of shots, the eagle seemed to getting a little agitated and is lifting its feet and flexing its wings. Then he assumed a position that reminds me of the start of a speed skating race or a sprint, with a flexed wing ready to propel the eagle forward. Finally the eagle pushed off from the tree and descended a little with talons extended before leveling off and flying away.

Some of the time it seems an eagle just springs into motion and ignores most of the items on its pre-flight checklist as it prepares for takeoff. Other times, like this one, it follows the established procedures and waited for flight clearance from the tower.

Posted in Birds, Nature, Photography, wildlife | Tagged Alexandria VA, Bald Eagle, birds in flight, Canon 50D, eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Huntley Meadows Park, Tamron 150-600mm, Tamron 150-600mm telephoto | 19 Comments

19 Responses

on February 8, 2016 at 8:39 am | Reply Chas Spain

Oh wow- that is amazing
- on February 9, 2016 at 5:47 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Chas.
on February 8, 2016 at 8:54 am | Reply New England Nomad

Great shots. beautiful bird.
- on February 9, 2016 at 5:47 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks–definitely a beautiful and powerful bird.
on February 8, 2016 at 9:27 am | Reply Mjollnir MacAlba

Great series Mike 🙂
- on February 9, 2016 at 5:46 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks. I am always thrilled to be able to capture an eagle and doubly so to capture a whole series of action shots.
on February 8, 2016 at 10:00 am | Reply Victor Rakmil

Wow!
on February 8, 2016 at 10:42 am | Reply Jet Eliot

Fantastic series, Mike. Your familiarity with the species is beautifully reflected in the photos.
- on February 9, 2016 at 5:44 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks so much, Jet. I am in fact learning all of the time about the wonderful creatures that I am able to photograph. Now, for example, I am much more attuned to the kind of places where I am most likely to find an eagle perching.
on February 8, 2016 at 10:55 am | Reply Sukanya Ramanujan

Amazing sequence of photographs!
- on February 9, 2016 at 5:42 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks so much. It was pretty exciting to be able to capture the images.
on February 8, 2016 at 3:41 pm | Reply Laura (PA Pict)

Very cool!
- on February 9, 2016 at 5:42 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Laura.
on February 8, 2016 at 4:22 pm | Reply svtakeiteasy

Great series Mike, he is so powerful. You must be chuffed!
- on February 9, 2016 at 5:41 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Chris. I was absolutely thrilled when I managed to capture the series of action shots. I actually had a chance to check my camera settings before I took these shots–most often I am reacting to a situation and go with the existing settings and hope they are right.
on February 8, 2016 at 6:43 pm | Reply Christy Turner

I really love the last shot. Those talons are very dangerous looking.
- on February 9, 2016 at 5:39 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Christy. I was very fortunate to photograph this eagle from an unusual perspective. I sure would not want to be a prey and look up and see those talons coming at me.
on February 9, 2016 at 4:58 am | Reply New Hampshire Garden Solutions

And Ben Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national bird!
on February 14, 2016 at 1:37 pm | Reply Sue

Fantastic set of photos, Mike.