Four year old Bald Eagle devouring a small carp – Nikon D200, f9, 1/320, ISO 250, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, bird caught its own prey, not baited
It was the day after Christmas in 2009 when I watched this four year old Bald Eagle lift off from this pole to catch this fish in the water impoundment nearby and to my surprise it flew right back to the same pole to devour it.
The Eagle was too far away when it grabbed the fish out of the water to get decent images but it gave me quite a show as it ate the small carp.
It takes about 5 years for a Bald Eagle to obtain its adult plumage and the summer after this was taken the Bald Eagle pictured above would have molted into it.
After this image was taken someone stuck a very ugly, reddish colored bat box on this pole and while I support the action of providing bats with shelter I do wish they had placed it about a foot down from the top of the pole because the bat box is not at all photogenic and the larger raptors like this Bald Eagle don’t use the pole as a perch as frequently as they once did.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Bald Eagle photos plus facts and information about this species.
Thank you Maria, Charlotte, Julie, Syl, Judy and Bob!
I like seeing these full grown Bald Eagles. Their feathers are so striking!
Fantastic!
Beautiful photograph, Mia!
beautiful shot.
Wow. Very nice!!
Brilliant catch Mia.