More Eagles in Alachua County
Our friend Pam called and asked if we wanted to go out on her brother’s boat to see Eagles. That’s a question no one has to ask. Of course we do! The morning was perfectly clear, bright sun. The lake was like a mirror. The Eagles? They were hitting the water hunting for fish!
The Eagles were sitting in trees as the sun came up
Male and female Wood Ducks in flight. They get scared and leave when a boat gets even remotely close to them.
Immature Bald Eagle about to hit the water
Bald Eagles hunt by grabbing fish that are right near the surface.
This time was a miss. Immature Eagles are still learning how to hunt efficiently.
Bald Eagle resting in a shady area. The sunlight in this spot reflected off the lake to give a nice soft fill light on the Eagle.
Bald Eagle looking around from its perch
Gotta make sure those tail feathers are clean!
I think the Eagle see me
Time to go look for lunch
Searching the lake
The delicate grab of a powerful Bald Eagle
A successful grab of a fish
Bald Eagles usually look back to see what they caught once they get up in the air
A sub-adult Bald Eagle, about 3 1/2 years old, makes an approach to the lake to catch a fish.
On close approach, they open their talons and get their feet out in front to prepare to catch a fish.
Almost there…
Making the grab right at the surface
Bald Eagle pulling it’s catch out of the water
Off we go!
Water droplets falling off the fish as the Eagle banks away from the lake.
A pair of Bald Eagles in a tree that’s changing it fall colors
It’s been nice hanging with you but It’s time for me to fly!
Bald Eagle gliding out to the lake
Bald Eagle flying past
There’s something about a Bald Eagle sitting in Spanish Moss.
Bald Eagle flying out of the trees
I’m not sure what this Bald Eagle is looking up at. There wasn’t another bird in the area.
Still looking up as the Eagle flies past.
Bald Eagle about to grab a fish…
Turns out to be a rather large fish.
The freshly caught fish is tucked up for aerodynamics and to hide it from other Eagles.
Bald Eagle flying with its fish.
Bald Eagle looking around for other Eagles as it flies in with its fish.
Bald Eagle with a fish
Bald Eagle flying past with its fish as it gets closer to the trees along the lake.
Bald Eagle about to grab a fish.
Making the grab of a fish just below the surface.
Lifting off from a successful hunt.
A better view of the small fish that the Bald Eagle just caught.
Powering away with lunch, the Eagle flies off with it’s fish.
Bald Eagle with a freshly caught fish.
A Bald Eagle jumps off to look for new adventures. Are you with him?
We had such a great time watching and taking photos of the Bald Eagles. They’re so efficient at hunting and were really showing off how they do it. I can’t wait to see more in the near future. Check back in to see what we find next!