Although it was sunny last Wednesday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, the wind was kicking up quite a bit, repeatedly ruffling the feathers of this perched Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). It has been a long time since I had hair that was long enough to sport that kind of windblown look.
When I was a child, I had a cowlick in the back of my head that refused to stay in place, despite my lineral use of Brylcreem or a similar product called Groom and Clean. My father, like many men of his generation had a comb over hair style that he somehow fixed in place. When I started going bald, I rejected that style and opted to keep my hair cut short. Of course, during the 20 years that I spent in the US Army, it was a mandated “choice,” much like the mandatory “fun” that surrounded official social functions.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
I love the bit of personal history you shared in connection with your comment on the eagle’s featherstyle. What was your job when you were in the Army? You’ve piqued my curiosity.
Thanks, Nina. I was a military analyst and eventually specialized in Russia and the other countries of the former Soviet Union. My training included Russian language training and a fully-funded Master’s program, which in my case was at Georgetown University.
Why is it the big birds, especially Eagles, always fly to the top of branch like that 😂. Very nice shot.
The better to see you… This eagle was in fact really high up in the tree and was keeping an eye on the eagle’s nest where its presumed mate was feasting on a duck, as I showed in an earlier blog posting.
Beautiful capture, Mike–I like the windblown, natural look!