The sound of freedom. Taken recently at near a nest I recently discovered along the South Platte River. This Bald Eagle was sitting quietly until its mate showed up. When it did, this one seemed to decide it was time to show off and proceeded to put on a nice airshow for me, all the while making quite a lot of noise. It was a lot of fun watching the two play and interact.
Two individuals make one heart
Two individuals make one heart. Lovers complement each other and when the stars align, there is no more perfect union.
“Look into my eyes, my Valentine!”
Not a particularly photogenic perch but a picture perfect pair of lovebirds for Valentines Day. Not how the area between them forms a heart.
The quintessential regal eagle look
The quintessential regal eagle look. 😉
Freedom’s Launch!
One of those truly magical wildlife encounters. I came across this handsome fellow this past weekend and he gave me one of my best Bald Eagle encounters ever. Initially perched, well buried in a tree, he was kind enough to move to a spot out in the open. There he simply sat and observed and let me take dozens of picture in just about every pose.
After about an hour, he decided he had enough and took flight. Best of all, I was ready for it and he flew right by me. I ended up capturing the entire sequence, 27 frames in all, and each one came out dang near perfect. It is very, very rare for that happen. This is one of the first of the series, just as he raised his wings and launched into the air.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Flying beauty for Freedom Friday
I was fortunate enough to spend some quality time with this pretty lady and her mate as they kept watch over the park this past weekend. They were quite content to just sit and observe the ice fisherman and I in turn was happy to just watch them. After about an hour or so, she decided it was time to stretch her wings and thankfully I was ready and captured a nice sequence of images of her launch and flyby including this one.
Everyone loves firefighters, including apparently these two
Everyone loves firefighters, including apparently these two. 😉 Yesterday they were hanging out at North Metro Fire Rescue District’s (Colorado) training facility.
Now this is how you make a scene when departing!
I was observing this beautiful lady and her mate in Boulder County, Colorado this past weekend when she decided it was time to go somewhere else. When she did, I captured this image as she stretched her wings wide fully showcasing that impressive 6+ foot wingspan.
Those massive wings propel Bald Eagles at pretty amazing speeds. Just ‘cruising’ in horizontal flight they typically travel between 30 and 40 mph. When diving, they can reach speeds approaching 100 mph!
Bald Eagles grab a meal, get chased off by Coyote
A fun little scene on the way home from work one day last week. I spot these two eagles enjoying a Prairie Dog dinner and of course have to take pictures. Soon after, for no reason that I could see, they took off and high-tailed it out of there. As I started to turn away, I saw why they left so quickly. A Coyote was working its way through the grass and getting closer. The Coyote didn’t see me initially but when it did, it too took off running. Lots of fun and a two-for-one wildlife encounter in suburbia!
Scroll down to view the complete series.
Freedom flyover
Perhaps somewhat appropriate that Inauguration Day falls on the day that I post our nation’s symbol. Powerful, majestic, fierce, proud – words that fit for not only the Bald Eagle but the nation that it represents. Today we witnessed one of the greatest traditions of this republic and I could not help but feel the swells of patriotism. We live in such an extraordinary country and I am grateful to live here, no matter who is President. May God continue to bless the USA!