rockdog Loc: Berkeley, Ca.

The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex serves over half of the migratory waterfowl that travel the Pacific Flyway, literally tens of thousands of ducks and geese. These wetlands are also the home of many other birds including upland game, song birds and raptors. There are over 60,000 acres accessible by road. Visitors are required to stay in their vehicles over much of the complex but this is not a problem. The viewing and photography access is well served by gravel roads and cars actually make excellent blinds. I have visited this refuge every year of my adult life and never been disappointed. But this year was exceptional. I was treated to a Bald Eagle who tolerated my making over a dozen exposures. He was well aware of my presence (and, I think, his own photographic magnificence). I shot these through the open sun roof of our car, hand holding my Nikon D5100 with 55-300mm kit lens. These shots might have been a bit sharper if I had remembered to turn the engine off but I got kind of excited. Thanks Mr. Eagle you made my day.

Bmac Loc: Long Island, NY

Fantastic photos, love the curve of his beak.

john blue Loc: Lowndesboro, Al

and #4 made mine. Thanks for posting them

rockdog Loc: Berkeley, Ca.

Thank you, yes it is a beak that can make a living for him!

rockdog Loc: Berkeley, Ca.

Thank you john blue

rocco_7155 Loc: Connecticut/Louisiana

Amazing captures rockdog.
I'm glad it only took you a lifetime to get them! :thumbup:
Its why I love photographers.
Its reminds me of being a kid and buying every pack of baseball cards you could scrounge a nickel for just hoping for that Mickey Mantle. You never thought about giving up!

rockdog Loc: Berkeley, Ca.

Thank you rocco. You are so right, much in life seems to boil down to persistence.

a couple of hasty crops

Phyllis Loc: NE PA

Gorgeous!

Swamp Gator Loc: Coastal South Carolina

It's always a thrill seeing one of these magnificent birds in the wild isn't it?!
Cool shots

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Enjoyed the images!

You get the "Eagle Eye"!

Pat

rockdog Loc: Berkeley, Ca.

Yes, it is a thrill. And when you know you have eye contact you can't help but wonder what he/she is seeing...you know it is a whole lot more than our visual capabilities. Thanks for your comments, Gator, I have great respect for your work.

rockdog Loc: Berkeley, Ca.

Thank you Phyllis and Pat.

Lulu56

AWESOME Photos, I've been trying to get pictures like this all my life of this majestic bird. Hope I will get lucky one day!!

rockdog Loc: Berkeley, Ca.

Thank you Lulu. Don't give up, there is an eagle out there for you!