When a Bald Eagle took off from a perch with its partially-eaten fish yesterday morning at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, I didn’t zoom out fast enough to photograph its entire wingspan, but did manage to capture a rather fierce expression.
I spotted the eagle in the tree from a long way off and tried to approach it as quickly and cautiously as I could. The eagle was facing away from me and seemed to have its head pointing downward. Once I got a bit closer, I could see that the eagle was focused on eating a freshly-caught fish, which is why, I assume, it was not alert to my approach.
Every now and then, the eagle would look up from its late breakfast and do a survey of its surroundings, as you can see in the second photo. I think that it was during ones of these surveys that it spotted me. I was still a pretty good distance from the tree in which the eagle was perched, but I was standing at the edge of a wide path, so I was not exactly camouflaged,
Without any warning, the eagle took to the air, making sure to bring along the partially-consumed fish. I didn’t have much time to react, but was thrilled with the image that I was able to capture as the eagle zoomed toward me. I really like the eagle’s expression and the way that I was able to capture the white tail feathers.
I watched as the eagle flew to a distant perch, where it could finish its meal without further interruption,
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
I see osprey carrying fish from time to time. Do eagles carry them the same way — facing forward, to reduce air resistance? When I first read that about the osprey, I thought it was so interesting.
I am not sure about now the eagles carry the fish, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they carry them the same way that ospreys do.
Nice flight capture with the fish! I’m always amazed to see those giant talons.
I thought I was too far away for the eagle to be bothered by my presence. As for the talons, they are massive and impressive. A couple of years ago I got some shots when it looked like an eagle was headed right for me with talons extended. Check out this post for the photos. https://michaelqpowell.wordpress.com/2016/02/07/im-not-your-prey/
Wow, what an exciting experience to have him come right towards you. Great shots!
Thanks, Ellen. It indeed was an exciting experience. The eagle was initially facing in the opposite direction, so it was a bit of a surprise when it flew toward me.
That photo of the eagle taking off is great.
Wow – that in-flight photo is a great capture, Mike.
Thanks, Dan. There is a huge amount of luck involved in getting a shot like that, though it helps that I was alert and had more or less the right settings on my camera.
Nice! I sat and watched eagles the other day and all they did was sit there. They were so boring. haha.
I love watching eagles, though normally I don’t get to watch them for long. Their eyesight is so much better than mine that they most often spot me before I spot them.