My heartbeat definitely accelerates when a Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) flaps its wings and heads straight in my direction, as one did again this past Monday morning. I don’t know why the eagle chose to fly toward me, since I am pretty sure that it was aware of my presence and could have flown away. Perhaps the eagle was simply curious and wanted to check me out.
Eventually the eagle did pull up and fly past me, without getting as close as it might seem from the images. Some readers have asked me if I was near an eagle nest when I posted similar photos in the past. I have seen eagles multiple times in the same general location and suspect there might be a nest nearby, but so far have not located one.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
I’d say that was close enough for a bird that big. Finding the nest would really be something.
Very nice series Mike!
Wow, great photo encounter, Mike. Do you ever get so excited you jiggle the camera when clicking the shutter? These are sharp action photos.
Thanks. I have gotten better at that, Sue, but sometimes I think I do shake a little from excess excitement. For me, tracking birds in flight is something that requires practice to maintain the hand to eye coordination. I suppose using a tripod would help in some circumstances, but much of the time I am moving about and have to react really quickly–I’m not sure I could do that with a tripod.
You’ve become quite expert at it. The only guy I know who is really good at capturing birds in flight is a duck hunter, and he has a really quick and steady trigger finger.
I forgot to add that eagle chick’s have already hatched in some nests here in MN. So you might have an active nest near where you saw this eagle–perhaps it was out looking for “baby food” 🙂
That’s a great point, Sue. I’m hoping too to see an owl hunting in the daylight (as I did twice last year) for the same reason.
I understand the thrill of seeing this beautiful raptor!! Great shots Mike
Thanks, Judy.