An American Patriotic Symbol

Recently my husband and I took a drive along Maryland’s Eastern Shore, spending a couple hours driving along the wildlife drive at Blackwater NWR in Cambridge. It felt wonderful to be out and about with nature, and it had been a couple years since I had last visited. I was super-excited to say the least!

I was fortunate to get the chance to photograph several birds and a few animals, but nothing compared to the close-up opportunity of this gorgeous American Bald Eagle.

This majestic bird was conveniently perched in a tree right alongside the wildlife drive. It can’t get any better than that!

Blackwater NWR hosts over 150 American Bald Eagles during the winter, as well as hosts one of the largest breeding populations of American Bald Eagles in the country. We were fortunate to see about a dozen or so other Bald Eagles off in the distance flying, perched in trees, or on the ground along the water.

A even closer close-up……

We were preparing to move on when he/she decided to take flight.

The American Bald Eagle has been the national emblem of the United States since 1782 and a spiritual symbol for native people for far longer than that. Once endangered by hunting and pesticides, American Bald Eagles have flourished under protection.

I still get chills seeing one as if it’s my first time. And when they are close enough for photo ops, WOWSA!

Tags: american bald eagle, Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Cambridge, eagle, flight, Maryland, nature, patriotic, photo, photographs, photography, photos

55 thoughts on “An American Patriotic Symbol”

avian101 on 05/06/2017 at 9:03 PM said:

The American Bald Eagle is such a beautiful bird, majestic and symbolic of strength and power. Your photos are fantastic! Thank you Donna! 🙂

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- bayphotosbydonna on 05/06/2017 at 10:14 PM said:
  
  Thanks HJ! I felt rewarded at that moment and was a bit nervous, worried I couldn’t focus well enough before he/she would take flight. Definitely a thrill for me! 🙂
  
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Rick Bailey on 05/06/2017 at 11:57 PM said:

Very cool photos!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 05/07/2017 at 7:37 AM said:
  
  Thanks Rick! I know you’ll be lucky to see eagles while sailing this summer. 🙂
  
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  - Rick Bailey on 05/08/2017 at 9:46 PM said:
    
    Surprisingly, we’re beginning to see them near our house. Sometimes they compete with the ospreys for roosting space – on the nest boxes in early spring, no less! They don’t last long at that game, though. Osprey treat those boxes like their own private property, even if the eagles are there first. We’ve seen them as lately as last fall perching in a neighbor’s tall tree near the water. Pretty amazing sight.
    
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aussiebirder on 05/07/2017 at 2:55 AM said:

Magnificent photos Donna of your national symbol, such a great opportunity for you! It is such a delight to get such close up pics of raptors, especially in flight. I especially love the effect of the light in the splay of tail feathers. It reminds me of the original indigenous native (red Indian) head dress.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 05/07/2017 at 7:43 AM said:
  
  Thanks Ashley! I was truly blessed with this opportunity. The time at the refuge really perked me up and was a joy to visit. The wildlife drive is approx. 7 miles (11 km) long, and shooting from your vehicle is like being in a blind. It has been one of my favorite refuges for a long time! 🙂
  
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  - aussiebirder on 05/07/2017 at 4:11 PM said:
    
    That’s so good Donna, How has your recovery been going?
    
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    - bayphotosbydonna on 05/10/2017 at 8:41 PM said:
      
      Not so good….. 😦 I’ll be getting a knee replacement in a couple weeks. Definitely not looking forward to that.
      
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      - aussiebirder on 05/11/2017 at 4:03 AM said:
        
        Will be praying 4U Donna🙏
      - bayphotosbydonna on 05/11/2017 at 7:36 AM said:
        
        Thanks so much, Ashley, I appreciate it. 🙂
belindagroverphotography on 05/07/2017 at 6:54 AM said:

Wonderful series!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 05/07/2017 at 7:44 AM said:
  
  Thanks Belinda! It was an exciting moment for me! 🙂
  
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kathydoremus on 05/07/2017 at 6:57 AM said:

Absolutely regal!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 05/07/2017 at 7:45 AM said:
  
  Thanks Kathy, they so are!
  
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usathroughoureyes on 05/07/2017 at 7:15 AM said:

What a great photo opportunity you were given. Yes, they are truly a majestic bird. We have been seeing them a lot lately in our travels but never close enough to capture a shot like yours. We had opportunity to be 20 feet from one that had just captured dinner but wouldn’t you know, the camera was at home. Isn’t photography like golf… its that one shot that keeps us coming back, lol.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 05/07/2017 at 7:48 AM said:
  
  Thanks, there’s just something about seeing an eagle that truly excites me. I know what you mean, it’s that one opportunity we miss that reminds us to take that camera next time we walk out the door! 😉
  
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  - usathroughoureyes on 05/07/2017 at 8:22 AM said:
    
    For sure. Please keep shooting so we can keep looking okay.
    
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Tuxedo Sophisticated Cat on 05/07/2017 at 10:23 AM said:

Gorgeous photos of such a majestic bird.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 05/10/2017 at 8:33 PM said:
  
  Thanks Maralee, it is always a thrill to even just see them, let alone get the chance to photograph them. 🙂
  
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Ingrid on 05/07/2017 at 11:01 AM said:

Fantastic photos. What a special encounter.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 05/10/2017 at 8:34 PM said:
  
  Thanks Ingrid, it was special! 🙂
  
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Ellen Jennings on 05/07/2017 at 11:07 AM said:

What a treat, Donna! It is exciting to see these magnificent birds and so close, WOWSA is right! Great portrait photos and wonderful to get the take off & in-flight shots, too.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 05/10/2017 at 8:36 PM said:
  
  Thanks Ellen! Don’t you just love a WOWSA photo op?!! I was happy he took flight, almost missed him as I had stopped clicking and we wer going to roll on. 🙂
  
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  - Ellen Jennings on 05/12/2017 at 8:09 PM said:
    
    Oh, yes! And just one more shot…. we were talking about that today and how often we overstay our plan not wanting to turn just as the Eagle flys!
    
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neihtn2012 on 05/07/2017 at 2:39 PM said:

Awesome photos, Donna! I was at Blackwater two weeks ago, but only saw bald eagles from quite a distance, and I did not have a long enough zoom lens.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 05/10/2017 at 8:38 PM said:
  
  Thanks Hien! I was very fortunate, I too saw many at a distance. There use to be a really nice snag tree on the right on the last leg of the wildlife drive where you could almost count seeing one or two on it, but my husband and I both noticed that that snag was now gone. What a disappointment!
  
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montucky on 05/07/2017 at 8:04 PM said:

Wow, you took full advantage of a great opportunity!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 05/10/2017 at 8:42 PM said:
  
  I did, didn’t I?!! 😉 It was such a thrill! Thanks Terry!
  
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Sue on 05/07/2017 at 11:42 PM said:

Awesome photos Donna! These are truly magnificent birds. I was real lucky to catch sight of several in the wild while holidaying in Alaska several years ago, but they weren’t up close like this eagle was for you!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 05/10/2017 at 8:44 PM said:
  
  Thanks Sue! Of all the birds I captured that day, this was definitely my biggest thrill. They are so stunning! Wow, I’ve heard you can see hundreds perched around Alaska, my mouth would water at that sight for sure. 😉
  
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circadianreflections on 05/08/2017 at 10:57 AM said:

Wowza is right! What gorgeous images you were able to make, and that close up image is amazing! I still get a thrill as if it’s the first time seeing them too. I’m so glad they’re making a comeback!

It’s good to read you’re getting out. Hope you’re mending and will soon be 100%! xx

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- bayphotosbydonna on 05/10/2017 at 8:46 PM said:
  
  Thanks Deborah! It’s one of the birds that really pumps my adrenaline, almost making me nervous I’ll not get even one decent shot. I am so glad too they’re make a great comeback!
  
  Well…..I’m still mending, hopefully I’ll be 100% in a couple months. Thanks for the well wishes, it means a lot!!
  
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  - circadianreflections on 05/11/2017 at 8:16 AM said:
    
    Sending healing thoughts and vibes your way! xx
    
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    - bayphotosbydonna on 05/11/2017 at 12:28 PM said:
      
      I appreciate it, thanks so much Deborah! xx
      
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Marla Rose on 05/09/2017 at 1:47 PM said:

How thrilling!! Happy for you and thank you for sharing your talent.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 05/10/2017 at 8:53 PM said:
  
  Thanks Marla Rose! It was thrilling!!
  
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Gunta on 05/09/2017 at 4:20 PM said:

It’s always a good day when you get to see a Bald Eagle up close. I’m snatching a few moment whenever I can to check on our local eagle aerie. Still no sign of eaglets, but they’re probably down in the nest which has grown larger over the past 5 (?) years I’ve been watching it. This will likely be my last year to witness the fledglings bouncing around trying out their wings.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 05/10/2017 at 8:56 PM said:
  
  Isn’t it amazing how big those nests ‘grow’ in size?! I hope there are eaglets, especially if it’s likely to be your last year. You’ll just have to scouting your new location for a new eagle family to enjoy, right?! 🙂
  
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Tiny on 05/12/2017 at 8:55 AM said:

Absolutely wonderful shots of this majestic bird, Donna! I love to see them when they come over from the other side of the bay where they nest, but always hope they don’t see the osprey chicks.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 05/12/2017 at 5:43 PM said:
  
  Thanks Helen! You’re right, we don’t what them flying over Stanley and Sandy’s nest when chicks are present.
  
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denisebushphoto on 05/13/2017 at 5:58 PM said:

EXCELLENT captures Donna … wonderful light and timing!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 05/13/2017 at 7:24 PM said:
  
  Thanks Denise! It was a thrill and I am glad a successful photo op for me! 🙂
  
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marylandkayaker on 05/19/2017 at 8:07 PM said:

Absolutely gorgeous photos Donna. We kayaked the East Wye River today and saw at least a dozen, along with two nests with juveniles. Eagles are my favorite and I never tire of watching them.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 05/21/2017 at 12:13 PM said:
  
  Thanks so much! I love the Wye River and the Eagle sightings it offers. I’m with you, I could never tire of watching them. 🙂
  
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marylandtotheworld on 05/30/2017 at 10:16 PM said:

Wow I never even knew bald eagles lived in Maryland. Something new to watch out for!

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His Perfect Timing on 06/11/2017 at 12:38 PM said:

We have a couple where I live. They are sooo beautiful.

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crosscountrylifeblog on 06/20/2017 at 9:30 AM said:

That is SO amazing that experience that you had! I will be going around this amazing country and some of Canada too very soon! That is NOT something you see every day- especially not in the wild!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 09/05/2017 at 6:59 PM said:
  
  Thanks so much! I am soooooo far behind on my blog, my apologies for such a late replay. I hope you have started your amazing adventure!
  
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  - crosscountrylifeblog on 09/06/2017 at 9:35 AM said:
    
    Same wi me! In fact, I just created a whole post about it 😂
    
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Collect Life on 07/04/2017 at 6:52 PM said:

Looks so majestic. Thanks for sharing the images😀

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- bayphotosbydonna on 09/05/2017 at 7:03 PM said:
  
  Thanks for your wonderful comments! 🙂
  
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Pingback: An Eagle Vs. A Red-winged Blackbird | Photos by Donna
Barbara Rodgers on 05/29/2021 at 6:18 AM said:

Wow! Such a majestic bird and your pictures are stunning! I’m so glad they’re making a strong comeback.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 05/30/2021 at 8:21 AM said:
  
  Thank you, Barbara! Me too!!
  
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