It takes about five years for a Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) to develop into adulthood and acquire the bright white heads and tails that we generally associate with this species. When they are young, the eagles have dark feathers and beaks and during the intermediate years their feathers have a mottled appearance.
Yesterday I watched a subadult eagle flying about in the skies over Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Judging from its coloration, I’d guess that it was about three to four years old.
The eagle put on quite an aerial show for me, twisting and turning in an amazing display of aerial prowess. I was particularly impressed by the way that the eagle would stretch wide its wings and flare its tail as it changed directions, as you can see in the photo below.
When an eagle or any other raptor is moving about like that, it is quite a challenge to track it and keep it within the frame. Suffice it to say, I have quite a few shots in which the eagle is partially cut off at the edge of the frame or occasionally is completely absent from the photo.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
I can imagine how exhilarating it was to observe this juvenile swirling in the thermals, learning its body and capabilities, Mike. Wonderful photo.
Thanks, Jet. Surprisingly the eagle was not that high in the air, which is why I was able to capture so much detail. Some of the time when the eagles are riding the thermals, they get really, really high in the sky.
What an extraordinary photo!
Thanks, Nina. I was thrilled when I looked over my photos on my computer and saw this one. In the moment I was focused almost completely on tracking the bird and was not sure that I had captured any decent shots.
Wow, a beautiful aeronautical move.
Sweet shot, Mike, and how fun to get to see that air show!
[…] I posted a shot of the eagle with outstretched wings (the 20 February posting was called Eagle Gyration). Today’s posting shows the same eagle in a number of other positions. I am always intrigued […]