Gary Helm
American Bald Eagle
Florida has the largest bald eagle population in the lower 48 states.
Easily identified by their white heads, distinctive size and soaring flight, bald eagles are often seen flying above Florida’s lakes, estuaries and wetlands. Adults have a white head and tail, chocolate colored plumage, and yellow bill and feet. The characteristic white head and tail develops when the bird becomes sexually mature at about 5 years of age.
I found this one along Marsh Rabbit Run Trail at Circle B Bar Reserve.
I was trying to get a few shots of a Sora on Heron Hideout Trail when I saw this Eagle land in a dead tree about 150 yards away on Marsh Rabbit Run.
About five other photographers saw the same thing and we all tried to "Sneak" up on the Eagle in a group. It was a site. People pulling wagons with huge cameras and lenses, Carrying tripods six foot long, water botles sloshing, Old folks falling along the wayside, children being trampled as the group tried to get close enough for a shot. I stopped and took this shot from a lot farther than I wanted to, but I knew what was going to happen.
Sure enough a lady photographer all of a sudden blew past the group in a blinding speed so fast that it sucked water out of the marsh as she passed.
The gentleman pulling the wagon said wait, but it was to late. The Eagle had had enough and gracefully left the area.
Polk County, Florida.
American Bald Eagle
Florida has the largest bald eagle population in the lower 48 states.
Easily identified by their white heads, distinctive size and soaring flight, bald eagles are often seen flying above Florida’s lakes, estuaries and wetlands. Adults have a white head and tail, chocolate colored plumage, and yellow bill and feet. The characteristic white head and tail develops when the bird becomes sexually mature at about 5 years of age.
I found this one along Marsh Rabbit Run Trail at Circle B Bar Reserve.
I was trying to get a few shots of a Sora on Heron Hideout Trail when I saw this Eagle land in a dead tree about 150 yards away on Marsh Rabbit Run.
About five other photographers saw the same thing and we all tried to "Sneak" up on the Eagle in a group. It was a site. People pulling wagons with huge cameras and lenses, Carrying tripods six foot long, water botles sloshing, Old folks falling along the wayside, children being trampled as the group tried to get close enough for a shot. I stopped and took this shot from a lot farther than I wanted to, but I knew what was going to happen.
Sure enough a lady photographer all of a sudden blew past the group in a blinding speed so fast that it sucked water out of the marsh as she passed.
The gentleman pulling the wagon said wait, but it was to late. The Eagle had had enough and gracefully left the area.
Polk County, Florida.