Quite often when I review my photos a second time I find photos that I missed during my initial look, like this photo of a Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) that was just starting its liftoff from a tree last Saturday morning at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
When I spotted this pair of eagles in a distant tree, I watched and waited, hoping that they both would turn in my direction. However, the eagle in the back kept looking in the opposite direction and branches were also blocking my view. Suddenly the eagle in the front raised its wings to take off and I was able to react quickly enough to capture the moment when it was just starting to push off from the branch.
As you can probably tell from the lighting in the photo, this was another early morning encounter with bald eagles. I was very fortunately to have multiple encounters that morning. It will soon be nesting season for the eagles and I hope to able to capture some images as the eagles work on preparing the nests for another season—there are three nesting locations at the wildlife refuge, although one of the nests looks like it may have disappeared, possibly because one of the main supporting branches collapsed.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
What a great capture of this eagle taking off, Mike! Patience often pays off – this is a beauty.
Thanks. Patience is important, but so are quick reflexes. The action happens so quickly that I can’t afford to become too passive as I wait (practice helps to hone the skills too).
Excellent point!
Thanks for sharing
Truly delightful, Mike. The posture, the tree and berries, the light and of course this magnificent bird.
Thanks, Jet. I think that the little circular objects are the seedpods of a sweetgum tree. I have had unusually good fortune with eagles during the past couple of months, capturing a number of action shots that have made me very happy.
love that golden sun!
What a fantastic photo! I love the way the morning light makes everything glow.
Very nice! 😊👏
Thanks.
My pleasure. 😊