January 28, 2024 7:23 am
I never get tired of photographing Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)—it always feels special to catch sight of one of these majestic birds. In Northern Virginia, where I live, we are blessed to have a relative abundance of Bald Eagles and I see one or more of them quite regularly. Getting a good shot of one, though, is a bit of a challenge, because the eagles’ eyesight and reaction times are vastly superior to my own. A lot of the time my first indication of the presence of an eagle is when I see it flying away from me.
This past Tuesday I spotted a Bald Eagle perched on a broken-of branch of what appeared to be a small, dead tree at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. There was some vegetation between the two of us that hopefully hid me from view. Initially my view of the eagle was partially blocked, but by bending and twisting myself, I managed to find a clear visual tunnel.
When I captured the first shot, the “regal” one, the eagle appeared to be surveying its surroundings from on high, like a royal sovereign. A few seconds late, the eagle seemed to have become aware of my presence and stared directly at me. It is hard to interpret the facial expressions of an eagle, but “fierce” is a descriptive word that often comes to mind.
Although it might have been a little curious about me, the eagle seemed mostly unhappy that I was there. I can imagine the regal eagle thinking, “We are not amused.”
Be sure to click on the second image to get a closer look at the eagle’s face. How do you interpret that expression?
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Posted by Mike Powell
Categories: Birds, Nature, Photography, Portraits, wildlife, Winter
Tags: Bald Eagle, Canon 7D, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, regal eagle, Tamron 150-600mm, Woodbridge VA
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I love the bald eagles. We do see them in our area by the riverbank and on some local trails but they are a rare sight for us.
Love the expression in the second photo. It’s as if the eagle is thinking “Why are you so fascinated with me?”
By Michelle (Boomer Eco Crusader) on January 28, 2024 at 7:50 am
Nice!
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By Mitzy Bricker on January 28, 2024 at 8:00 am
The look of annoyance at a lesser being…the second shot is great 😁😁
By Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography on January 28, 2024 at 9:37 am
Love that eagles inquisitive look
By M. on January 28, 2024 at 9:53 am
Oh, wow, Mike! That second picture’s expression, “Didn’t you just take one?” Lol. I wanted to attend the Bald Eagle Conference at my area Conservation center last weekend, but was unable. I never grow weary of this Regal creature, it’s symbolism, and beauty. Great captures!
By K.L. Hale on January 28, 2024 at 9:57 am
He’s giving you quite the look in that second shot, Mike. Maybe he’s wondering why you needed another picture.
By Dan Antion on January 28, 2024 at 11:09 am
Very expressive! I have a friend who is part of an Eagle watch team that have been watching a particular nest regularly through the years. Is there an eagle watch program near you?
By Birder's Journey on January 28, 2024 at 5:18 pm
I know that there are a number of places in the Washington D.C. area where there are video cameras that allow you to follow eagle nests and track their activity. I suspect that there are some other eagle watch programs, though I am not personally involved with them.
By Mike Powell on January 28, 2024 at 8:18 pm
Amazing shot! Eagle are so cool.
By Rob Moses Photography on January 29, 2024 at 12:28 pm