Eagle Fish ‘N Fly
As soon as I arrived at the marsh area this weekend I spotted a bald eagle sitting in a tall pine tree. I was only watching it for a few minutes when it took off and did a low circle over the marsh and dropped down into the shallow water. It quickly flew up and over the reeds and it was at this point I realized it was carrying a fish which it had just plucked out of the marsh. What made this scene rather interesting was the unusual manner in which the eagle was holding the fish…it had the fish in it’s mouth!!! Normally raptors fly while holding the prey in their feet. This was the first time I had ever seen a bald eagle flying with a fish, even a small one like this, in it’s mouth! The herons and egrets will carry off fish in their mouths especially if being chased, but an eagle normally will use it’s feet for that purpose.
The eagle returned to the pine tree, flying into the back section of the tree where it consumed it’s snack. After it was finished eating it hopped back out onto some upper branches where it took a good look at me, then continued on surveying it’s domain.
Phil Lanoue Photography 
Poor thing must have been raised by egrets. He doesn’t know his eagle manners. 🙂
😆 Maybe he was raised by egrets!
You get the funniest comment of the week award with this one Angelia! 😀
Great shots Phil.
Thanks very much Jan.
Absolutely astounding, Phil! Great shots of a rare bird acting in a rare manner. That second to last frame captures his expression as he says, “I suppose you’re gonna blog about this, aren’t you?”. Eagles are all about their dignity – that comment by Angelia about egrets must have HURT!
Ha ha! You are right, the poor eagle now has to suffer the indignity of being blogged about along with photographic evidence of him behaving like an egret! Ouch for sure!
This can’t be good for me, if the eagles and alligators all get together and decide I’m not treating them with proper respect I’m in big trouble. 😯 😀
amazing!
Thank you Ewa, I’m happy you liked these photos!
What a stunning specimen – I have only seen a Bald Eagle once on my Minnesota sojourn many years back and I was well back from him – through in the fish and some set. The feathers and beak combo is really powerful colour.
Thanks very much Scott, I’m glad you enjoyed this eagle series. I was happy I was there to see it.
spectacular photos the bald eagle.
I appreciate your kind comment!
Just gorgeous photos. I love the look the eagle gave you.
Thanks much Lyle, I really appreciate your comments. He was giving me a look wasn’t he?!
These are incredible photos, Phil. I love the quizzical look on his face, as he sits pondering what type of marsh critter you are. 😀
Thanks a million Sylvia, glad you like these eagle pics!
I’m not sure he appreciated me pointing something at him. I’m happy he did not decide to swoop down and show his displeasure. 😯 Nothing like a scalp full of eagle claws to ruin a weekend. 🙂
This is very true, Phil. Have eagles been known to attack humans?
btw, You keep spelling my name wrong.
Sylvia 😀
They only attack the ones that deserve it. 😀
Oops 😳 sorry about the name error, fixed now.
😀
I have caught myself spelling alligator wrong all week too.
Don’t know if that makes you feel better or worse Sylvia. 😕 😀
You’re obviously suffering from a bout of dyslexia, Phil. Try taking more water with it. 😆
Humm…water. I’ll have to keep that in mind. Beer has been working great so far though. 😛
That explains everything. 😀
How beautiful!
Thanks very much for checking out these pics and glad you like them!
He is looking to you as if asking what are you doing here with me! Amazing photographs. Thank you, love, nia
You are right I believe he is trying to figure out who I am and what I am! Thank you Nia!
Funny to see an eagle with the fish in its mouth! 😀
It was funny, I have never seen an eagle do that before. 🙂
Fantastic Phil, how lucky were you to be there at that time
Thanks a bunch Dallas, and yes I was quite lucky I went over that day, I almost didn’t.
Fantastiche, che foto eccezionali. Splendidi scatti Phil
Ciao, Pat
Hi Pat! Apprezzo i vostri commenti molto gentili
Che scatti!
Sono felice che ti piace le foto!
I think you two are becoming fast friends…now he’s showing off for you!
I would be happy if he showed off for me all day. Saw him yesterday and today and he refused to come in close and say hello.
wow, amazing images and so sharp, I love these regal eagles. Cheers Callie
Thanks a million Callie, I’m very happy you enjoyed the eagle photos!
Fabulous Phil! Magnificent bird. 🙂
I appreciate the kind words Adrian!
I say snatch ’em any way you can.
Oh absolutely! If it works, might as well go with it. 🙂
Once again, fantastic shots! He sure does look pretty proud of himself.
Thanks so much Diana, I’m glad you liked the eagle pics!
I suspect he is quite impressed with himself. 🙂
What awesome shots…. I just love eagles..I’m sure he thought, well, this is just a snack, so why bother with my claws.. He sure looks like he has you on his “list”, if you know what I mean!.
Thanks very much Sally, glad you enjoyed these! Maybe he was really hungry and had thoughts of chewing while flying. He could get that small fish down quick and easy.
He is giving me a look… 😯
Yes, he sure is,,, they are smarter than we think,, he has you pegged!!!
They are a lot smarter then we think and that’s what concerns me. This boy looks like he has my number! 😀
Stunning captures, Phil! He took a good look at you, Wow!! He looks so dignified (the first one).
I am officially envious. I never get to see an eagle this close or so picturesque. These photos are truly fabulous.
I truly appreciate your very kind comments, thanks so much!
Those photos are amazing. You are so lucky to be able to capture them on film.
I really appreciate your visit here and your kind comments, thanks!
I love the look he gave you. “What?? What’s wrong with that?” Fantastic series Phil and thanks for sharing with me your BE.
Thanks a million for checking these out Emily and I’m very happy that you like them!
He is giving me some sort of look, not sure what’s on his mind. Maybe better I don’t know. 🙂
Excellent series of shots, Phil!
Thanks Gareth, appreciate it!
Fantastic captures Phil.
Thanks very much Edith, glad you like ’em!
Good grief, you make this look so easy! I think these are my favorite photos of yours so far, just beautiful!
I really appreciate your kind words Kate and I’m happy you like these eagle photos. They are among my favorites as well since it’s the first time I got photos of one flying with a fish in it’s mouth.
Love picture number two! I also have a soft spot for eagles…they’re so majestic.
Thanks very much, I’m so glad you like these!
So I was thinking, yeah, holding a fish in its mouth… whatever… is that really all that unusual… Then a look at the photos of it told me, yes, that’s not how it’s supposed to look! Also, that second to last image? I get that look from my older daughter a LOT.
It’s funny too, I took the photos, and I was editing the photos, but it didn’t immediately register that there was something odd and unusual going on here until my wife mentioned it.
She said…”he has a fish in his mouth”
I said…”yes he does”
She says…”but don’t they normally carry fish in their feet?”
I say…”wow, that’s right, they do! Huh, how about that?!?”
I’m so used to seeing the herons and egrets fly with fish in their mouths this did not jump out at me as really unusual at first.
Uh oh, I bet getting that look from your daughter could mean trouble. 😀
It was a pleasure to get a peek at your site, Phil. I’ll stop back often!
I appreciate you stopping by and commenting, thanks!
Wow, stunning shots!!!
Thanks, I’m glad you like them!
Totally awesome pictures. You should come to Unalaska and do our eagles some justice. Having so many of them in our environment has made them common place to me, but seeing your pictures makes me appreciate the beauty.
It’s funny I had recently read something about not just the large amount of eagles in the Unalaska area, but how they can be rather nasty at times. Then I saw you recent story which seemed to confirm that. I guess I’m happy seeing one or two glide along the marsh and don’t have to worry so much about one coming at me with those skyhooks at the ready.
Thanks very much for checking out these photos and commenting, I appreciate it! 🙂
Awesome series. His look on the second to last is absolutely great.
Thanks very much, he does have some look doesn’t he? 🙂
It seems as if he wonders if you are satiesfied with his show. 😉
Wonderful pictures of an awesome bird, Phil!
Thank you Maggie, I greatly appreciate your kind comments!
Stunning shots, Phil!
Hey thanks for stopping in and commenting, I appreciate it!
Amazing shots as usual Phil.
Hey thanks Coreen I appreciate you checking these out and I’m happy you like them.
Wow! Awesome shot of this great bird. I don’t get too many opportunities to shoot them down here.
Thank you Bob, I’m glad you liked the eagle photos!
Amazing action sequince! It’s not often you see the eagle hunting for food and get it right. These are great.
Thanks Dina! It was also good to see the eagle working for a living and getting it’s own fish rather then taking one form an osprey or GBH. 🙂
absolutely stunning… every single shot. If you scroll down on this one it is as if you are there watching the bird in flight… love it.
Well I really appreciate your very kind words! Thanks
Stunning!!!!
Glad you liked these, thanks for checking them out!
These are truly amazing photos! And how great that you captured this odd behavior.
I typed “bald eagle flying with a fish in it’s mouth” into google image serach and got pages of bald eagle photos many flying with a fish, but all with the fish in their feet, not a single one with a fish in it’s mouth.
Thanks for checking these out Molly
Such amazing shots!
Thank you for looking and commenting! 🙂
I never would have known this was unusual behavior, since I never see eagles. It is true that I’ve never seen an osprey with a fish in its mouth. They always carry them with their feet. What a delight your site is – there’s always something new and interesting to see.