Fly Like an Eagle

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Fly Like an Eagle

February 15, 2025 by Mike Powell

I never get tired of photographing Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), like this one that soared by me last week at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The eagle made minor adjustments to its wings and tail to maintain its speed and direction, but it mostly seemed to be enjoying itself without exerting much effort. I couldn’t help but think of the Steve Miller Band and its well-known song “Fly Like an Eagle” from the 1970’s.

“I want to fly like an eagleTo the seaFly like an eagleLet my spirit carry meI want to fly like an eagle‘Til I’m freeOh, Lord, through the revolution…”

Posted in Birds, Nature, Photography, wildlife, Winter | Tagged Bald Eagle, birds in flight, Canon 7D, eagle, Fly Like An Eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Steve Miller Band, Tamron 150-600mm, Woodbridge VA | 8 Comments

8 Responses

on February 15, 2025 at 12:48 pm | Reply Laura (PA Pict)

These are such fantastic shots, Mike! I love the sense of action and movement in them – and am impressed that they are so sharp and the detail is so great despite that. I am trying to decide which is my favourite and I think it is either the second or fourth because I like the sweep of the diagonal through the composition.
on February 15, 2025 at 10:34 pm | Reply bridge2nature

Great photos
on February 17, 2025 at 8:25 am | Reply kewtiebird

Beautiful soaring shots.
- on February 17, 2025 at 4:49 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks.
on February 18, 2025 at 1:55 pm | Reply Rob Moses Photography

Great shots Mike!
- on February 18, 2025 at 2:59 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Rob. As I noted in the post, I will try to get shots of an eagle every time that I see one, even if it is pretty far away.
on February 18, 2025 at 3:16 pm | Reply Ms. Liz

I love the third photo which is just beautiful when enlarged.. the underside of the wing is so lovely. The tilt of the head, the feet tucked in.. wonderful!
- on February 19, 2025 at 7:04 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Liz. Usually when I spot an eagle in the air, it is flying away and I am not able to get a shot. In this case, however, the eagle was effortlessly soaring overhead and its circling patterns brought it overhead multiple times.