A Bald Eagle has Lunch

Posted on February 4, 2012 by Dick

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

 

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Is Dinner Ready?

Posted on February 4, 2012 by Dick

2012 started with great excitement – no, not the ball drop in New York. For the first time since the mid-1950s, a large number (reports of 60-100 sightings total) of Snowy Owls were observed in Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa. Experts said the owls were outside their normal range looking for food. Their favorite fare is Lemmings, but that population was very low in the native Tundra.

When hungry enough, even a Nebraska field mouse or gopher will do, I guess. The owls had been sighted near our community so, naturally, we went looking with camera in hand. The owl pictured here was first spotted near the highway sitting on a pivot irrigation unit. He posed for me for about 10 minutes and then flew across the road to the power pole you see him on. Kathy – my expert driver – maneuvered us into position so I could make this (and many more) click from the car. The owl seemed unfazed by our presence and by the traffic along the highway. When we left the owl was still sitting right there, still looking for lunch.

The Snowy Owl is a beautiful bird in deed and this was – for me – perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime photo op. I am thankful I had the opportunity to see and photograph this magnificent creature.

Nikon D300 
AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II
AF-S Teleconverter TC-20E III
Manfrotto Monopod
370mm, f/5.6, 1/750 sec, ISO 200 
Posted in Birds, Owls | Leave a comment