This has been a very mild winter in central Nebraska – so far. Normally our lake is completely frozen over. Not this year. The lake has only been about half ice and half open water. With brisk winds the Bald Eagles spend a lot of time soaring over the lake looking for a meal.
The fishing conditions during the afternoon this picture was taken were excellent. This Eagle found a meal fit for its family. I watched, and clicked, as this eagle worked at getting its catch to the dinner table. It tried several times to get airborne with not much luck. It was interesting to watch as it figured out what needed to be done. It would stop, eat some of the fish – perhaps to lighten the load – and then would try to get airborne again.
After a few unsuccessful tries at getting airborne with its catch the eagle finally got airborne and headed off to a nearby tree to dine in private – or maybe to share a meal.
Some time later I saw the eagle soaring over the lake again – maybe looking for desert (or maybe it was a different eagle looking for its lunch). In any event it was a joy to watch this beautiful creature in action. there is no better symbol of the United States of America than the Bald Eagle.
Nikon D300
AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II
AF-S Teleconverter TC–20E III
Manfrotto Monopod