Bald Eagle – A Survivor
A couple weeks ago, Osprey Bella began alarming loudly to Beau perched nearby. I looked at Bella’s eye direction and saw the Bald Eagle coming towards her and me.
The Eagle, as most do, was just passing overhead in his travels from one destination to another.
Bald Eagle with one leg
No matter how many times I see an Eagle, each additional time is just as exciting.
Bald Eagle with one leg
Bald Eagle with one leg
If you noticed my photo captions, this Eagle has only one leg. It wasn’t until I reviewed my photos days later that I noticed this.
I hesitated on sharing these photos because I didn’t want to portray sadness or upset anyone.
But this isn’t what I see.
I see what I saw that day I photographed it, a magnificent, gorgeous Eagle in flight across the beautiful blue skies. And I see a celebration of life of the wild.
My hope is you see that too.
Photos by Donna 
He looks in excellent health, so I guess he is able to get enough to eat despite the handicap. Amazing!
That is my thoughts exactly, Eliza! 🙂 Thank you, he’s definitely inspirational!
The Eagle looks great, apparently it moves around fine on the ground. You’ve got an Eagle eye!
Thank you, John, I thought so too, it does look quite healthy so it’s good to see it has adapted. Incredible! 🦅 👀 🙂
Looks like the bald eagle is flying strong with just one leg, and that is the key to the bird’s health…getting food. This majestic creature is doing just fine. And what fantastic photos, Donna!
Thank you, Jet! I see a healthy Eagle too, and in my dozen series of shots, it flew balanced and strong. I find this quite incredible, and inspirational too!
Great shots of this Bald Eagle, even as if has only one leg! He seems to be doing well otherwise.
Thank you, Hien, I don’t think any one would even know but just see a beauty soaring in the skies. ❤
He is beautiful. He looks healthy and is soaring…I wish I was up there with him. Lovely photos.
Thank you, he sure is! I’m with you, I’d love to soar like an Eagle! 😊
What a magnificent discovery Donna, it encourages us to make the most of what we have got not complain about what we do not have, by comparing to what others have. If he was born this way, he would consider it as normal that all Eagles only had one leg and so adapt to the difference. Encouraging post Donna!
Thank you, Ashley. To be honest, he has been very inspiring to me, I’ve not been able to get him out of my mind since I viewed his photos. And his appearance couldn’t have been at a more appropriate time. I think Someone above set me up… 😉 It’s been hard moving on from my accident, but things are a whole lot better than they were. And I am so thankful for that. 🙏 I’m ready to start living again, I am excited for summer!
Not only do you have some very good photographs of a bald eagle in flight, the are very unique too.
Thank you, David, I thought so too, I like the unique and different. 🙂
This majestic bird exudes power and gallantry of a hero returning home from a war. I see a symbol of patriotism and love for the Country. My mind takes me beyond the reality.
Your photos are representing our USA, proud and aloft the heavens. Thank you, Donna. 🙂
What a beautiful tribute to this Eagle, HJ! ❤ Thank you, my friend! 🙂
It is a beautiful photo, and shows this eagle’s strength and power so wonderfully. Thank you ❤
Thank you, Takami, I couldn’t agree more. He’s an inspiration to anyone that can see him for him. 😊
Beautiful photos of a magnificent bird. I am always amazed by how well birds adapt to losing a foot, after my initial sadness when I recognize it.
Thank you, Lisa, we love our amazing wildlife, and how they adapt to reality. Truly wonderful when they appear healthy and strong!
It’s amazing how creatures adapt isn’t it? But it does make you wonder how it lost its leg. I can’t imagine it was born that way, so it truly is a survivor! Great shots too!
Thank you, Mike! It certainly is! It’s only human to wonder, so I do too. How amazing it survived, and how inspirational! 🙂
It looks like it’s getting along just fine with one leg and set of talons. Gorgeous bif images Donna!
Thank you Deborah! He looks quite healthy, I love that! I thought, too, how important the talons are; and the one set looked mighty fine for his feats. 🙂
The bald eagle is a classic icon of the United States
Most definitely!!!
Great shots! The eagle seems to be managing life just fine. ❤️
Thank you, Irene! Very inspiring, isn’t it?! ❤️
Yes, it is! 😊
Beautiful flight shots!! The sky is gorgeous!!
Thank you, Indira! On clear-sky mornings, I love how blue it gets in the Spring. I will spend a 2-3 hours every morning on my balcony when it’s like that! 😊
I often see birds or other wildlife that have been injured, but survive and even thrive despite their injuries. Like you, I hesitate to post photos of the injured creatures, but in many cases when I can show that the injuries aren’t life threatening, I do. These are great images, and they show that the eagle is a survivor!
Thank you, Jerry, I think the ‘positive’ ones we can share can be inspirational to others. They certainly are to me! 🙂
I only see the beauty you captured. If anything he is more so despite lacking a leg.
Thank you, Belinda, I think so too! 😊
Great light, can see the face so clearly.The missing leg shows strength and perseverance.
Thank you, Jane, it was that gorgeous morning light on him/her, perfect timing!
What a magnificent bird!! Thank you for sharing. hugs
Thank you, Beth! He/she truly is!! 😊
You captured a rare sight. And, it doesn’t look like there is a scar or remnants of an injured leg. I wonder if that was a genetic anomaly. Breathtaking.
Sorry for late reply, I’m WAY behind! I took about a dozen shots has this Eagle soared over me, it does look as if there’s no scar or partial leg, so it doesn’t appear to be recent. Even the feathers look ‘normal’.
I thought breathtaking too. 😊
No worries, dear. I STAY behind.
a friend of mine saw a one legged Baldie last week. They seem to be able to survive just fine with only one talon. Perching must be tricky I bet.
Great shot!
Thank you, Wayne! How interesting on another recent sighting like this one! Yea, that one talon can still be pretty deadly I’m sure.
we all do the best we can with what we have at hand……talon.
Eagles are just so majestic. I found an article with photos showing an eagle allowing a crow to hitch a ride in mid air https://noelliesplace.com/2019/05/18/piggy-back-rides/
I agree! Cool article on the crow rider. I’ve photographed little birds harassing an Eagle many times, some even ‘hitting’ the Eagle, but never a rider, how neat! Lifetime shot! 🙂
When I see people or animals with obvious defects that do not seem to prevent them from doing what they are meant to, I am always touched and inspired. Your eagle photos make me feel the same way, Donna.
I am glad, Tanja, I too always feel touched and inspired. ❤