Wednesday, February 1, 2012

ALREADY GONE


An article in the paper by our local bird expert gave me a hint of a place I could go to find bald eagles.  Even though they're not uncommon in our area I haven't yet been able to get a good photo of one.

Fortunately the stand of cottonwood trees along a slow stream where the big birds were supposed to be hanging out was in a very rural area because I was driving along at about tractor speed and gawking at everything except the road.

I nearly drove into a ditch when I saw him.

 I stopped and took a few photos through my grimy windshield.
 (Why didn’t I wash my car windows first?)

 The big hunter was giving me The Look 
as I slowly got out and shot off a few more pictures.

 Finally!  My very own close-ups of an American Bald Eagle.

 Then another bird swooped in.

A small hawk decided the big raptor was encroaching on his nesting territory.
  The size of the eagle didn’t seem to intimidate him at all. 
He flew straight at the tree where the intruder was perched.

 I got a few more photographs as the eagle lifted off…

 …giving me a good stare-down as he flew by.

 The little hawk took over the spot in the tree.

 The Eagle left singing……

I'm all----ready gone 

And I'm feelin' strong 

I will si------ing this vict'ry song 

Woo hoo hoOoo. WOO hoo hoo!


Okay, just kidding about that part.

19 comments:

Anzu said...

I admire his easygoing attitude.
I wish I could see his gallant appearance just once.

Elizabeth said...

So thrilling to see such an amazing bird!
Wow !
Who cares if your windscreen was grimy.....life's too short

ox

Buttons Thoughts said...

TOTALLY AWESOME these are fantastic shots. You made me so jealous I have heard of rare ones around here but have never seen one here.
I love that the hawk made him move.That must have been the hawks seat.
I love these shot what a magnificent bird Thank you Leenie I will start my day smiling and thinking of this all day..

susan m hinckley said...

Awesome! Amazing! What a morning treat for us all -- and now we can sing Eagles songs all day! Why fight it. I think I'll grab their "best of" album right now and just pop it on in the studio. Thanks, Leenie!

TexWisGirl said...

wow!!! i'm SO jealous!!! you got some great photos!!!

TexWisGirl said...

(and you made me laugh on the song...)

CarrieBoo said...

That is incredible!!! I am SO jealous! :D Wow. Speechless! Thanks for making my day! (Brave little buggers aren't they.)

Linda Sue said...

WOW and WOW! Astonishing shots ms. Camera head!!! The one of the ealge just below the little hawk with his wings all powerful and dark and BIG just knocks me right out of my seat! We see these sorts of eagles here nearly on a daily basis - like heron, but I have never been able to photograph them- you are NINJA!!

Maude Lynn said...

These are just gorgeous! I wish that I could snap an eagle.

Leauxra said...

There is a nesting pair near where I live, but for some reason I am ALWAYS sans camera when I see them (momma, daddy, and last year was 4 little ones). I am jealous of your pics!

TALON said...

Awesome shots, Leenie. I can imagine his singing :)

Anonymous said...

Absolutely wonderful photos Leenie! I have trouble with my computer so am late in thanking your for the Liebster Award.Blogging is a wonderful way to find out happenings in other parts of the world, and these thrilling photos are stunning to me - not the sort of thing that happens, I was going to say around my parts, but that definitely does NOT sound right!

Carla said...

Amazing pictures! We had eagles nesting in a tree on the property we rented on Orcas Island a few summers ago. They were magical birds. We were awakened every morning by the male and female "talking" about their plan for the day.

Terry and Linda said...

WOW! You got a wonderful photo and a complete thrilling act in nature!


Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

Far Side of Fifty said...

Great photos! Congratulations..I know they have been on your photo bucket list..way to go girl:)

Sea Mist and Sunsets said...

These are FINE. Can't tell you how many times here in WA I have tried to catch them. Congrats on these treasures.

Flea said...

Holy crapoly! He's gorgeous! And you got such great shots! AWESOME!!!

Debbie said...

wow leenie, i would have wet my pants with excitement. we went looking for them on saturday, (there is a nest about 10 minutes from home), we never saw them.

you got some great shots. i am totally jealous and super happy for you!! xo

Dawn said...

Just INCREDIBLE captures! A beauty!!