The cottonwood tree is almost as cool as the bald eagle. And that light! It was momentary, which makes the mistake harder to bear.
While shooting, I knew there were little branches in front of the eagle, but I didn’t realize until I saw the images on the computer that one branch literally goes right across the eagle’s eye. Sigh.
Here we go; a little better when the eagle ducked a bit to at least allow a shot of his/her (?) eye not directly crossed by a branch.
The eagle stayed “sticky” as I drove a little closer, using my vehicle as a “hide” to try not to spook the eagle (and all of these are taken with a 600mm lens and cropped).
I’m happy to say that s/he was comfortable enough with my presence in the rolling hide that s/he never flew away while I was there. I drove on and left it to its day doing eagle things.
Pretty cool sighting for the (windy) day after Christmas!
Spring Creek Basin Mustangs 
Great pictures TJ – something that many of us never get to see.
I’m always thrilled to see a bald eagle, though goldens are much more frequently seen. 🙂
What beautiful pictures of this regal bird!
I was pretty stoked that it gave me such a wonderful opportunity to get pix! 🙂
Another beautiful gift from TJ, pic of nature in her/his natural habitat. Wishing you a joyful New Year TJ along with your surrounding nature!
Very happy New Year, Marytherese! Hope you and your family had a beautiful Christmas!
Gorgeous eagle photos, TJ! I love the wind-ruffled feathers and those stark, winter cottonwood limbs. Very pretty. Even the branch-across-the-eye shot is beautuful! 😁
I loved the wind-ruffled feathers, too. 🙂 Definitely made the pix unique. What a cool encounter!
Cool indeed!!
I couldn’t believe it stayed long enough for me to get such good pix. 🙂
Great photos TJ ! The windblown look is such fun ! Too many times branches have ruined a shot of mine but the clarity and beautifully blurred background take one’s attention :). Belated Merry Christmas 🎄
I’m still improving my bird photography skills. 🙂 Mustangs are much easier subjects! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and have fun adventures coming in the new year!
I watched one of these guys this morning. He was harassing some ducks (from their point of view it was harassment). He gave up and went to look for a more accessible breakfast.
Ha! Nobody harasses an eagle! They’re at the top of the heap. 🙂