A number of Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) were active yesterday morning at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge and I managed to capture this sequence of images as one of them was in the process of taking off from its perch.
I had accidentally spooked this eagle from its previous perch a bit earlier and was fortunately to be able to visually track the it to the new perch, a tree in the middle of a large field. The high vegetation surrounding the trail gave me some cover as I moved along the trail until I was in sight of the eagle again. I waited and watched the eagle, hoping to detect signs when it was preparing to depart. When the eagle bent down a little, I suspected that it was getting ready to fly away and I guessed right.
My zoom lens was extended to its maximum focal length (600mm) for these shots, so I was really happy that I was able to capture the full wing extension in the final shot—I am often prone to clip off the tips of the wings in situations like this. The final shot is my favorite in this sequence and I encourage you to click on the image to see the wonderful details more clearly, like the position of the talons as the eagle pushed off from the tree.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Good Morning Mr. Mike! You must have known that today is “Save the Eagles Day” and you have honored the day beautifully! I wish that Benjamin were here today to view and examine each enlarged part of your photographic tribute to Bald Eagles. Nonetheless, he will surely enjoy them on his next visit. Thank-you! P.S. In honor of the day you might want to play the 1976 Steve Miller Band song “Fly Like an Eagle”…Benjamin loved it last year during our celebration of the day!
Nice Mike! Always enjoy seeing your Eagle images!
What a great sequence, Mike. Well done!
Excellent sequence, Mike, and good read of the pre-lift off signals! The clarity of the feet really shows off the size and power they have.
Brilliant sequence! I also use the bird’s crouching as a signal of imminent take off. I’m usually right.
Thanks, Michael. On occasion a bird will fool me when it is preening or otherwise grooming its feathers. In those cases, the bird may shake its feathers, bend over, and otherwise assume yogi-like poses. 🙂
You’re welcome. Yes I’ve seen that too. In my experience, prior to taking off a bird will crouch and look in the direction of intended flight. That’s the tip off. Unless it isn’t.
Love those talons taking off last!
“And He will raise you up on eagle’s wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His hand.”
– Fr. Michael Joncas
Thanks, Molly. I love the quote you used, which seems to be a variation on one of my favorite Bible verses, Isaiah 40:31–“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
Very nice sequence, Mike!
I empathize with you on clipping shots like this. My collection of “almost good” images is vast.
Thanks, Wally. I am usually disappointed if I cut off a small part of a wing or other body part. Sometimes, though, I’ll capture a cool shot that cuts off a lot and surprisingly I am more ok with that. I remember when I first realized that I can create an effective photo without capturing the subject perfectly. I no longer stress out over perfect focus, or lack of blur, or composition that follows the rules–I tend to abide by the answer to the simple question of whether I like the image.
[…] via Bald Eagle Liftoff Sequence — Mike Powell […]
Always fun to catch an Eagle😀. Nice captures.
Nice!
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Wow, what great shots, Mike! Your patience and stealth were well rewarded.
It always seems to me that eagles are wearing pants, which somehow seems un-bird-like.
Thanks, Nina. Pants on an eagle? I looked again at my shots and can see now why you would describe it in that way.
Super sequence. I swear I could almost see him moving.
I thought I might’ve missed one or two of your posts and I’m glad I checked, what a shame if I’d missed this stunning eagle sequence! Really wonderful.
Thanks, Liz. I had an all-time good series of eagle encounters that day and was fortunate to capture several of them in series of shots. So much has to go right for that to happen, most of it beyond my control.