Photo-Finish Friday -- Ready To Soar

A Bald Eagle prepares to take off from a tree.

My husband and I have been able to spend calm, quiet Christmases lately. Often we'll go for a drive. One such drive two years ago led us to this sight along a paved road less than 10 miles from town.
I was fortuante enough to get several photos of the Bald Eagle in the tree and in flight.

Photo Finish Friday - Earth and Sky Edition

A magnificent Bald Eagle soars above a field looking for food

while a Sandhill Crane stays close to the ground on a warm spring day.

Photo Finish Friday - Silhouette

Of all the Bald Eagle pictures I've taken this silhouette is my favorite.
It transcends time and seems otherworldly to me.
I hope you enjoy it.

Gratitude Monday - Magnificent Moment Edition

Clicking to enlarge is strongly recommended.

The Bald Eagle is a majestic and dynamic bird. They are scarce here and a reasonably rare sight.
We were very blessed on our Christmas drive to see five of them. Four were gathered by a creek and then this lone one was in a tree near a subdivision.
The eagle stayed in the tree as I approached though it grew restless. Eventually I got too close and it took wing, but it gave me ample opportunity to get some magnificent shots.
I am so grateful to have seen it and to get this photo.