A Bald Eagle
Goes Fishing
Apr. 6, 2013

 

Sue and I went to Middle Creek to see the snow geese, who were a nonshow, but there was plenty of activity via tundra swans, as well as by a pair of bald eagles.

I'd prefer the following photo sequence to be clearer, but it's the first time I ever photographed a bald eagle fishing.

At first the bald eagle wheeled about the sky, turning this way and that.

 
Bald eagle fishing: wheeling
 

The most obvious feature is that the bald eagle had his talons extended.
 
Bald eagle fishing: wheeling
 

Turning this way . . .
 
Bald eagle fishing: wheeling
 

Turning that way . . .
 
Bald eagle fishing: wheeling
 

And finally the eagle descended.
 
Bald eagle fishing: the dive
 

I had expected a plunge into the water, but it was more as if the eagle was simply dipping in his talons.
 
Bald eagle fishing: the grab
 

Despite not going into the water deeply, the bald eagle immediately caught a fish.
 
Bald eagle fishing: the catch
 

The eagle took the fish to a log in the middle of the lake and shared dinner with his mate, which will eventually become another photo sequence.

Photo note: I used a Pentax K20D, with the Sigma 150-500mm lens for these photos, which were taken on 3 March 2013.  




An overhead bald eagle

My State College, Pennsylvania, photo bird list (including hawks and eagles)

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