I didn’t realize that this Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was eating its breakfast when I inadvertently spooked it last Thursday morning at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. There was no way the eagle was going to leave the fish behind, however, so it decided to take its fish “to go” when it took to the air.
When I first looked at this image, I was not sure if I liked it—it is pretty obvious that I was shooting through some branches and parts of the eagle are blurred out by them. When I examined the shot more closely, though, the positioning of the fish in the eagle’s mouth and the awesome details of the talons and tail made me decide that it was worth posting.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
What a cool shot!
Nice Mike! Always nice to see your Eagle images!
Absolutely worth it, Mike! Cool to see the half fish and the flight from this perspective.
Thanks for the words of encouragement, Ellen. It’s sometimes hard for me to be objective about my own images. I like the adjective “cool” that you used to describe your reaction, because that is precisely what I am hoping to achieve with the majority of the images that I post. I often feel like an excited little boy who constant exclaims, “Wow.” 🙂
You were absolutely right to post this.
Thanks, Michael. I feel pretty secure about my “normal” photos, but there are certain images that cause me to hesitate a bit and wonder if they are “good” enough to post. I don’t if other photographers feel that way about their work, having doubts from time to time.
Photography has a number of functions; among them are reportage and art. This is more art. It works.
When I first saw your image, I knew that I liked it! The hint of branches in the foreground lend it a palpable sense of place and time. Yes, good post!
Fantastic action photo, Mike. I like how the fish is half-eaten, too.
Thanks, Jet. It was the half-eaten fish that caused me to realize that I had interrupted the eagle’s meal. Of note, like ospreys, eagles seem to eat their fish head first.
Nice shot!
Blue Rock Horses Frederick County, Virginia bluerockhorses.com
I think it’s an amazing shot, well worth posting, unusual in its angle and in the details one sees: the gaping mouth of the fish in its death agony, the black curving talons and yellow toes… (who knew that eagles have toes?)
I am not troubled by the branches at all. This is a great action/behavior shot.
Thanks, Steve. I think I am sometimes too critical of my own images. 🙂
You and me both, Mike. But that’s better than lacking interest in improvement.
Awesome capture!