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.