The foliage partially blocked my approach to this Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) this past Tuesday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge and I was able to sneak up pretty close to it. In fact, I was standing almost directly below the tree in which the eagle was perched when I captured the second shot. Although my view was partially obstructed, I was thrilled to capture these images of this majestic bird.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Wow, what a shot, Mike!
Thanks, Patricia.
Very nice Mike! Always fun to see & photograph Bald Eagles!!
Trust me on this… be careful standing directly under an Eagle. Great shots 👍👍
I try to not be directly underneath any bird. A lot of times they will make themselves a little lighter just before taking off. 🙂
Yep, 😂😂.
Wonderful photograph with great detail!
Any day one can see an eagle is a good day.
I’ve always found it inconsiderate of birds to let foliage and branches block our view.
Indeed. I try to communicate with them telepathically, but it rarely seems to work. Interestingly enough, several people commented on Facebook that I like all of the foliage in these shots and don’t mind that it block the view a little.
Soo beautiful!!
Thanks.
You are welcome!
Wow! How cool! What an experience! And captured expertly.
Thanks, Laura. The eagle was cooperative, though the foliage was not quite as helpful. 🙂
They do have a fierce look. If I were a shrew I would not care to see those eyes up close.
I got a slight sense of what a shrew might feel like a few years ago when I startled an eagle and it initially flew towards me with talons extended. Check out this posting to experience a little of what I was feeling. https://michaelqpowell.com/2016/02/07/im-not-your-prey/
Wow!
I fourth the Wow.
Really must have trusted you to let you get THAT close! Wonderful photos.
It helps that the eagle was a bit distracted and did not see me approaching.