Bay Photos by Donna

To see Birds of Prey, or raptors, is exciting to many.  They are beautiful, powerful birds.  And they are also fierce birds with keen eyesight and sharp talons that hunt and kill other animals for food, including small birds, fish, mammals, lizards, and insects.

I was fortunate to capture three species of raptors during my last two  visits at Blackwater NWR.

Northern Harrier

 

Sometimes we’re not so lucky with their perch of choice.

Red-tailed Hawk

 

He flew to another pole.  Of course, I followed.

Red-tailed Hawk

 

Bald Eagles

 

Bald Eagle

 

It lovelier to see them in their natural habitat setting.

Bald Eagle

 

Bald Eagle

 

Blackwater NWR has the largest concentration of breeding Bald Eagles on the East Coast, north of Florida.  During the winter, the population soars with transients.

It’s starting that time of year where you will see Eagles at the refuge on any given day.

Bald Eagles

 

This Bald Eagle pair was popular with everyone, they were much closer to the wildlife drive, perched for a couple hours.

 

 

Bald Eagles Chit-Chatting

 

Bald Eagles on the same perch in their habitat

 

Same pair of Bald Eagles at sunset