Eagle and catch

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Eagle and catch

April 4, 2019 by Mike Powell

A Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) paused for a moment to check on its catch as it flew away on Monday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Occasionally I will see an eagle flying with a fish in its talons, but it is quite rare for me to see an eagle actually catch the fish.

In this case, I was fortunate enough to spot an eagle circling low over the water and I captured a few images just after the eagle snagged the fish. In the second shot, which chronologically speaking was the first shot, you can just make out the fish. In the third shot, the eagle appears to be adjusting itself to the additional weight and is starting to increase its speed and altitude.

These are the kind of action shots that I love to capture. I never know when such situations will arise, so I always try to remain ready to react.

Posted in Birds, Nature, Photography, spring, wildlife | Tagged Bald Eagle, birds in flight, Canon 50D, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Tamron 150-600mm, Woodbridge VA | 17 Comments

17 Responses

on April 4, 2019 at 8:05 am | Reply joyroses13

Wow! How cool to witness that and so glad you caught the shots so that you could share them with us. Thanks!
on April 4, 2019 at 8:05 am | Reply Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography

Wonderful series. The Eagle sequence we all love to catch, and rarely do.
on April 4, 2019 at 9:59 am | Reply kenneturner

Excellent!
on April 4, 2019 at 10:39 am | Reply Dan Antion

I am always amazed at how easy they make fishing look. I’m lucky if I can see them in an otherwise empty sky. They see a fish, underwater and know where to be to snag it. Awesome captures, Mike.
on April 4, 2019 at 10:48 am | Reply Michael Scandling

Nice catch for the eagle. Very nice catch for the photographer.
- on April 4, 2019 at 7:11 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Michael. There was a lot of luck in being at the right place at the right time and I was happy to be able to take advantage of the opportunity.
on April 4, 2019 at 2:49 pm | Reply Laura (PA Pict)

Fabulous action shots. I love the sense of drama and energy they each contain.
- on April 4, 2019 at 7:12 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks so much, Laura. It is wonderful to get shots of wild creatures in a static situation, but my joy is definitely multiplies when I can capture shots of them in action.
on April 4, 2019 at 6:11 pm | Reply New Hampshire Garden Solutions

Nice shots!
- on April 4, 2019 at 7:16 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks.
on April 4, 2019 at 8:47 pm | Reply Eliza Waters

Nice sequence, Mike. You got lucky that day!
- on April 5, 2019 at 6:19 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Indeed I did. One of my goals is to develop my skills to a level at which I can react quickly and accurately enough to take full advantage of that kind of luck.
on April 6, 2019 at 9:24 am | Reply Ellen Jennings

Great series and so much fun to see!
on April 8, 2019 at 1:56 pm | Reply Molly Lin Dutina

First shot looks as if he is checking to see if fish is still there! FUN photos ;-D
- on April 8, 2019 at 2:23 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  That was my immediate thought. I figured it was either that or he was finally trying to see what kind of fish he had caught.
on June 18, 2019 at 6:38 am | Reply sharonsiconictravelphotographyblog

Great capture!
- on June 18, 2019 at 10:49 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks. A little skill and a lot of luck. 🙂