They were very far away when I first saw them fishing. I almost didn't take the photos at that distance but, thought why not. Sometimes a moment is worth capturing even if it is a mediocre shot. They were working their way across the river toward the side I was travelling up. I knew opportunity would present itself. And, the sun was ultra bright - oh no!
Anyone who says that animals spend all their waking hours working to live doesn't know what they're talking about. Animals know sorrow, pain and joy. They know how to simply enjoy life, and in the case of young eagles, revel in their unique ability to speed through the sky on powerful wings, around and through trees and cruise inches above the water at breakneck speed only to suddenly soar upward toward the white clouds high above to become specs against the blue background and then to float, endlessly it seems, on pillows of air for the longest time.
One of the two young sky birds has seen a fish and depended to gently pick it up out of the water as if it were a piece of paper.
He turns the fish in his talons to face it head first into the wind which makes the catch more streamlined as he moves it through the air.
These youngsters have good teachers. Their parents have produced baby eagles every year since I've been running on this water. Their education has been fast as they are very good hunters. I've watched both these youngsters fishing and each has produced a fish on every attempt.
Keen eyes watch me as I move about the boat. I wonder what he thinks.
Below is the perfect flying machine
The kids were fun to watch. They seemed to follow above my boat as I idled up the shoreline. Eventually they would perch on perilous places. In reality they are playing. They fly through tree branches low to the ground and suddenly turn upward to fly by the heron rookery, turn and buzz past the herons that stand stoically beside their nests that contain their youngsters. The eagles mean no harm as the fly close to the rookery. They are playing. Their legs and feet are extended back against their undersides in flying posture. Talons are put away. They are enjoying the aerial twisting, turning and gliding that today offers them. They are full of the joy of life. They are learning to be America's ambassadors.
They go from tree level to almost out of sight in an instant. Wonder what that feel like.
A watchful father flies above to keep tabs on his babies.
Its gonna be an interesting summer watching these youngsters gain wisdom
