This Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) looked a bit bedraggled when I spotted it on Tuesday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, where it was perched just above the large eagle nest in which a young eagle was visible. Harried parent? Check out yesterday’s posting “Looking out of the nest” if you missed the photos of the inquisitive juvenile eagle.
The sky was totally overcast on the day when I took these photos and the sky was almost pure white. The resulting effect makes these shots look almost like high key portraits taken in a studio setting, although personally I would have liked a little more directed light to make the photos look less flat. Still, any day is a good day when I get to see a bald eagle.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Wow, that eagle is having a day!
I think his scruffiness adds to the visual texture of the portrait. I feel like that eagle has a story to tell.
I agree with you, Laura, that there is a story there. Some thought that it was merely a wind-blown look, but there was not much of a breeze that day. 🙂
Oh wow, majestic photos Mike. I like how you set up the photo back drop.
Thanks, Suzette.
Very nice Mike! Always fun to see your Eagle images!
Thanks, Reed.
He does look like he took the feathers our of the drier but didn’t bother to iron them.
So much for wash-and-wear feathers. I had the impression that maybe the eagle had been diving in the water and was still wet.