Tag Archives: Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle Showing Off Some Moves

There were at least five Bald Eagle’s flying around the pond at Donnelley WMA on Thursday. I witnessed a number of swoops and dives, along with a few fly-bys. I don’t normally use images with the wings out of the frame but make an exception for this kind of action.

Bald Eagle in Flight
Bald Eagle in Flight
Bald Eagle in Flight
Bald Eagle in Flight
Bald Eagle in Flight
Bald Eagle in Flight
Bald Eagle in Flight
Bald Eagle in Flight
Bald Eagle in Flight
Bald Eagle in Flight

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 30, 2023

Bald Eagle, Flying For Lunch

At the end of November I witnessed similar action in nearly the same spot that I photographed Bald Eagle, Flying For Breakfast at the end of October. This time I was a little closer to the action.

Bald Eagle Making a Dive
Bald Eagle Making a Dive

The Eagle made a quick drop and snatched a small dead fish that had been floating on the water.

Bald Eagle With Small Fish, Flying Away
Bald Eagle With Small Fish, Flying Away — that’s a log, not an Alligator, in the water

Up and away…

Bald Eagle With Small Fish, Flying Away
Bald Eagle With Small Fish, Flying Away– that’s two logs, not Alligators

He flew  past the bare cross dike with a bit of fall color highlighting the background, and disappeared into the woods.

Bald Eagle Flying Away
Bald Eagle Flying Away

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 29, 2021

Eagle Fly By

A pair of Bald Eagles had been buzzing the pond where I captured the Great Egret Late Afternoon Flyby .

One of them ventured down the river and I got a nice view on his return a few minutes later. Knowing that he was probably coming back was a big help.

Bald Eagle Flying By
Bald Eagle Flying By

I was at the top of the hill above the pond, making his position almost eye level for me.

Bald Eagle Flying By
Bald Eagle Flying By

The timestamp on these three images shows they were within the same second.

Bald Eagle Flying By
Bald Eagle Flying By

Middleton Place, Charleston, SC
October 19, 2021

Bald Eagle, Flying For Breakfast

The Bald Eagle, Flying By  made a U-turn over the pond, then dropped down scaring off a Great Egret.

Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle

He was some distance from me and these aren’t sharp images, but you get the idea of the action that started feet first:

Bald Eagle Dropping For His Catch
Bald Eagle Dropping For His Catch

Hardly making a splash in the water.

Bald Eagle Snagging His Catch
Bald Eagle Snagging His Catch

Got a fish!

Bald Eagle Lifting Off With His Catch
Bald Eagle Lifting Off With His Catch

Then back to his tree to eat.

Bald Eagle Flying By
Bald Eagle Flying By

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 29, 2021

Bald Eagle, Flying By

Fall is a good time to keep a half an eye out for Bald Eagles at the Wildlife Management Areas as they return from their summer digs. I was happy to spot this one flying over a pond.

Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle

He flew up into a favorite tree and sat, watching as I wondered if he’d already had breakfast.

Bald Eagle in Pine Tree
Bald Eagle in Pine Tree

After a bit he flew by me again, going the other way.

Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle

You’ll see a far off answer about breakfast in my next post.

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 29, 2021

Gulls Took To The Air

Danger, danger, fly, fly!

Can you spot the Eagle?

Birds in the Air over Bird Key, Stono
Birds in the Air, Eagle is about 1/4 of way in from the left, one of the top birds

This island has a lot of advantages for nesting birds, but it is not without risk. This time the Eagle appeared to leave without a meal.

Birds in the Air over Bird Key, Stono
Birds in the Air over Bird Key, Stono, Mostly Laughing Gulls

About a half hour later it happened again. We were further away from the action and I didn’t capture the Eagle, but this view gives an idea of how many birds are nesting on this little island. And how unconcerned the Pelicans appeared.

Birds in the Air over Bird Key, Stono
Birds in the Air over Bird Key, Stono

Taken from a boat at Bird Key Stono Heritage Preserve
Between Kiawah Island and Folly Beach, SC

July 12, 2021