Two days ago, as I heard a loud “whoosh” and saw all the birds at the feeders and in the trees scatter in flight; my husband hollered, “Eagle!” from the other end of our house, and I heard him hurrying down the hallway.
I jumped up, grabbed my camera, and we went out the back door and watched an immature Bald Eagle swoop down and back up over an adult Bald Eagle sitting on our lawn, eating a 10:00 a.m. meal. 😲
Click click click! I shot off quite a few. I felt good with them, so now I needed to get closer.
I ran back in and through our house to the garage, then back out the side door, and slipped behind my husband’s truck, putting me much closer to the Eagle.
I held my breath and clicked off even better photos.
(Note: To keep from being too squeamish, I removed part of the meal image at processing.)
.
Bald Eagle on our lawn
.
Bald Eagle
.
By the way, did I mention this Eagle was on our lawn? 🤔 😁
.
Bald Eagle stare-down
.
Well, you can imagine my excitement had the Eagle on alert. It took off, but surprisingly left the meal. I stepped out to see where the Eagle flew and then spotted the immature Eagle up in a tree, where it had been watching the adult eat. The immature Eagle took flight and followed the adult Eagle.
I kept an eye on the meal from inside the house. Within ten minutes, a Turkey Vulture arrived and began finishing it up. I went back behind the truck to take more photos. Just as quick, the adult Bald Eagle reappeared and flew to a tree overlooking the meal, causing the vulture to go into flight empty-handed.
.
Bald Eagle returns to our yard
.
The eagle had to be back for that meal. I didn’t move, ready to click for the take-off.
Sure enough, the eagle went into flight.
.
Bald Eagle going in flight
.
Bald Eagle going into flight
.
With trees in the way, I lost focus on the eagle, as it swooped down. The eagle acted as if it was going to grab what was left but didn’t, just swooped back up and left.
I kept watching off and on. A Turkey Vulture finally had the nerve to return and was able to finish it safely.
I think it is safe to say my husband and I will certainly never forget this eagle encounter!
