Yesterday at the refuge, a pair of Bald Eagles were flying in a courtship ritual that was dramatic, fast, and hard to catch for my camera. They were alternatively soaring to the sky and plunging toward the marsh at high speed. Often they were too far from where I was, and I could only get good focus on about half of the shots. The following photos will give you an idea of what took place.
Bald Eagle Courtship
08 Saturday Dec 2018
Posted Photography
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Julie@frogpondfarm said:
They sure are wow shots! Beautiful birds …thanks for sharing 🙂
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neihtn2012 said:
Glad you like these photos! Thank you Julie!
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bluebrightly said:
That must have been a really wonderful experience, and you did capture some great images. Maybe I’ll get to see this too, since there are a lot of Bald eagles around. But you have to be in the right place at the right time. 🙂
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neihtn2012 said:
Usually I have to look very hard for eagles, but that day there were many of them flying around! This time of the year they are building their nests, so you may see such courtship display any time.
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bluebrightly said:
I almost saw something yesterday – two eagles beginning to fly around together at their nest – but I was in the car and there was no place to pull over. Maybe next time. 🙂
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rabirius said:
Amazing shots of birds in flight.
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you!
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MichaelStephenWills said:
Well done…what an event to watch/capture.
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Michael!
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Emma Cownie said:
Very exciting. I like that birds have to “court” their mates. They have to make much more effort!
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neihtn2012 said:
Same with humans, no? 🙂
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Emma Cownie said:
Well, yes. I think birds might be better at it than humans, though!!
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bayphotosbydonna said:
Love is in the air! 🙂 Great shots, Hien! Keep watch for the ‘cartwheeling’ they do when they lock talons and fall from the sky, twirling. They let each other go before getting close to the ground/trees. It is a beautiful sight!
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Donna! I will try again in a few days, with a camera better suited for these kinds of shots.
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loisajay said:
What an fascinating thing to capture, Hien. I think you did very well!
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Lois!
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C.S. Young Jr. said:
Amazing captures, never seen photos of this kind of behavior!
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you C.S.!
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katelon said:
Beautiful birds and photos. What an amazing thing to experience.
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Katelon!
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quietsolopursuits said:
I’d say that these are really good myself, it’s always tough to be in exactly the right location when such things take place! I was hoping for a similar display from the two that I saw “talking” and billing the other day, but I didn’t see their flight displays. Hard to believe that with winter just starting that the eagles are getting in the mood to mate already.
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neihtn2012 said:
Jerry, I should have had the 7D ready for these kinds of shots. With the 5D I missed showing them close to each other, and their talons almost touching. Those shots were out of focus.
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Amy said:
Wow, fantastic shots!! Thank you for sharing, Hien!
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Amy!
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chasingamemory said:
What an exciting thing to witness 😀
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neihtn2012 said:
It was! These scenes can’t be planned in advance, and they usually happen when you least expect it.
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ekurie said:
Wow
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neihtn2012 said:
Thanks!
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