Bald Eagle - Our National Symbol - Vol. #4

And another success, just gliding by ........

The Fabulous Five .......

Oh Linth, I LOVE the touchdown.

I love the touchdown too...don't get to see those legs like that very often! Another great set Linth!

Here is another photo off in the distance taken on 11/8. I counted over 20 in this image. I should have created a panoramic image because it was loaded with them on both sides of this pic.

To give you some perspective, here is an image of the area taken from Google Earth. I was about 2,800 feet from the eagles in the previous photo. The towers sometimes seen in my photos are on Rowland Island, which is about 800 feet away. For the most part, I concentrate on an area out to about 1,000 feet.

Good grief, I didn't think you were that far away from the birds. Even at 1,000 feet, your photos are still so clear. I bet you were so disappointed when you couldn't get that closer shot of the chase. There will be more and I'm sure you'll get them.

I loved the touch down too. I'm enjoying your pictures!!

He's got his eye on the prize !

duc, with that much water around, one has to be somewhat lucky to get a real good shot. Sometimes they're too far, sometimes they're too close, most times the lighting isn't perfect and 50% of the time they're facing the wrong way. As you can see with most of these photos, there is something that could be better. I keep trying ........

When they're in this position, it's a good chance that they have observed a fish floating near the top.

Another juvenile with a large wing-spread.

Flying past the towers that I mentioned in an earlier post.

Another adult Bald Eagle with fish in talons.

If you look closely, you can see the fish in front of the eagle.

Last year I photographed a few tagged Bald Eagles and one with a GPS unit on his back, but this year, I haven't seen any, yet.

A "headless" juvenile making a nifty catch ..................

Another similar shot .....

Sometimes when I get there early, I have to wait for the fog to burn off. That's frustrating ........ somehow this eagle was able to see through the fog because he has his breakfast.

Great shots!! I loved that "headless" photo and the one where it's just about to get a fish-awesome! I haven't seen our juvenile eagle for a few days, but our lake is 21 miles long and it could be anywhere.

I think you've found the perfect spot to photograph these beauties!

duc, it is the perfect spot and probably the best spot on the east coast. It's been rather crowded (with people) recently. I don't think we have reached the peak yet because it's been warmer than usual up north. I should be there today but I'm taking a day off.

Here's a few more. As I said before, when you get tired of them, just let me know.

It's always nice to get them against a blue sky ......

Another of the same eagle .....

Here is an interesting website which shows information on 66 Bald Eagles that have been tagged in the Chesapeake Bay region. The site also includes some other projects.

http://www.wildlifetracking.org/index.shtml?project_id=349&dyn=1258898299

And, another .....

Last one for now .......

could NEVER get tired of your photos !!! I get up earlier than I have to, just so I can look at the photos before I have to go to work..

thanks for giving me good things to think about all day at work, eagles and osprey...you "guys" are awesome♥♥♥

Wow, these are just breathtaking! I always judge my photos by how clear I can see the eyes and yours are all so clear and precise! Great job on the wings too. I know what you mean about the blue sky and your photos prove these beauties really show well against it.

I'll not get tired of seeing more and more!!

You're right, duc, about the eyes. Even when I am taking a photo, if I can, I focus on the eye in hope that a slight turn will put a glint in the bird's eye from the sunlight. Most of these photos were taken on 11/8.

barefootT, glad you are enjoying them ....

Another flight photo ......

I usually don't even bother with this kind of shot. They often come from behind over a ridge so all you get is a rear-end pic.

He has his eye on something ......

A nice catch ..... probably a Shad.

Same Bald Eagle ........

An adult Bald Eagle flying low above the water .......

An adult flying near the dam spillway ........

Linth,

As always, your photos are incredible. I bet those eagles are just your run of the mill "hams" when they see you with your camera. I can hear them thinking.... "Oh look, there's that guy with the camera. Let's see if he can get THIS pose!" HAHAHA

I hadn't thought about the "eye" thing, but he's right. You always get such clear sharp photos. I for one really appreciate them, so please keep them coming. Oh to be able to fish the way these guys do.... when you said shad, I was thinking it was going to be a little bait type fish like I've seen at our beaches. I wasn't expecting such a big fish when I opened up the thumbnail.

Janet

I see the action has begun at Conowingo. I've been trying to set a date to visit but the job has me on the road a lot lately. I guess I will get there after Turkey day. Great BIF shots

Take

Thanks, Janet. I've seen them catch a fish and because of its size they couldn't get airborne.

Met, they're waiting for you ! Try to get there before the end of the year. By then they start to return to their nesting sites. Although, Blackwater is a little farther south of Conowingo, they start to lay their eggs around January 19th.

I've been to Conowingo 8 times already this fall. Some days are obviously better than others. Rest assured you will not be alone. Someone said the other day, it's like a zoo. Another person retorted, "yea, but which side of the fence are we on".

The weather has been reasonably warm but that will soon change. Dress warmly ....... or you will regret it.

Here's an adult flying over a Double-crested Cormorant.

An adult just making a catch .......

This is the same eagle just making the catch. Unfortunately, I get too many shots like this one. I would prefer head-on shots but you take what you can get.

This is a juvenile just after his nice catch.