The Lovely Mrs. Bald Eagle

We have a mated pair of bald eagles that seem to have taken up residence in the marsh area lately. They can often be seen sitting in one of their favorite trees on the far side of the marsh, but they will occasionally fly over to the near side where we can get a good look at them. Yesterday afternoon they were both quite active. The male was spotted chasing off a rival at one point, and then later swooped down when an egret and a gull got into a disagreement over ownership of a fish.

The female came flying in shortly after those events and she took up a position in a nearby pine tree. I was watching her for a little while and grabbed a few photos but I suspected she wouldn’t stay too long, and I was hoping to get shots of her as she left the tree. When I saw her fluff up a bit and take a good look toward the marsh I thought that might be the time…and it was. She launched herself out of the tree and as she got up into open blue sky she gave me a good parting look. Perhaps she was hoping the photos I took of her would be flattering since she’s such an attractive eagle!

I’ll have some photos of the handsome Mr. Eagle posted probably some time this weekend.

38 thoughts on “The Lovely Mrs. Bald Eagle”

ManoliRizoFotografia on February 7, 2013 at 7:35 pm said:

¡Que maravilloso reportaje, de una belleza brutal!, besos

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- Phil Lanoue on February 8, 2013 at 10:40 am said:
  
  Me alegro de que te gusta las fotos y la historia. ¡muchas gracias 🙂
  
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Chillbrook on February 7, 2013 at 7:45 pm said:

Another wonderful series Phil. Judging by the look of her, I’m sure Mr Bald Eagle does exactly as he’s told. I certainly wouldn’t want to get on her bad side.

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- Phil Lanoue on February 8, 2013 at 10:21 am said:
  
  Thanks Adrian. The female bald eagle is generally larger then the male, and the mate she has hooked up with looks to be a young guy. She might rule the roost. 🙂
  
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sallywoodphotography on February 7, 2013 at 7:54 pm said:

Just awesome…. she was really flirting with you I think!

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- Phil Lanoue on February 8, 2013 at 10:21 am said:
  
  Thanks! she is giving me some kind of look, not exactly sure what the intent is though. 🙂
  
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carymcdonald on February 7, 2013 at 8:07 pm said:

Great pics! Hope to see more soon! Maybe see you at HBSP Saturday.

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- Phil Lanoue on February 8, 2013 at 10:22 am said:
  
  Thanks for looking and commenting Cary!
  
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Gunta on February 7, 2013 at 8:10 pm said:

Holy cow! Those talons look extremely lethal. I wouldn’t be disparaging her looks if I were you.

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- Phil Lanoue on February 8, 2013 at 10:24 am said:
  
  Earlier, her mate spotted a gull and an egret battling over a fish right by where I was standing. He came swooping in out of nowhere very close to me. I was very happy those sky hooks of his were not meant for me. 😯 🙂
  
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juditon on February 7, 2013 at 8:14 pm said:

Patience always win, good shots.

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- Phil Lanoue on February 8, 2013 at 10:24 am said:
  
  Thanks for checking these out.
  
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Shelley on February 7, 2013 at 8:28 pm said:

I was just thinking I wouldn’t want to be on the business end of those talons myself!

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- Phil Lanoue on February 8, 2013 at 10:24 am said:
  
  Yes, those sky hooks they have look like serious business for sure!
  
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Fergiemoto on February 7, 2013 at 8:37 pm said:

Oh, wow, those are stunning photos! She sure is a beauty!!

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- Phil Lanoue on February 8, 2013 at 10:25 am said:
  
  Thanks! She is a looker! 🙂
  
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Bella Remy Photography on February 7, 2013 at 10:15 pm said:

The first photos of her posing are so regal. Any idea where their nest is? Sounds like a great opportunity for a birdcam.

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- Phil Lanoue on February 8, 2013 at 10:27 am said:
  
  She has that look doesn’t she?! 🙂 I know where the beginnings of a nest is located. It remains to be seen if they will 100% for sure settle in and make it a large permanent home. They seem to like the area though so that’s a good sign.
  
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Gareth Rasberry on February 7, 2013 at 10:23 pm said:

Excellent series of shots, Phil! Great sunlight in these shots

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- Phil Lanoue on February 8, 2013 at 10:27 am said:
  
  Thanks Gareth, so glad you like these eagle photos!
  
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adinparadise on February 7, 2013 at 10:53 pm said:

She really looks like a no-nonsense kind of gal. I’m sure her paramour would never dare to criticise her looks, or anything else, for that matter. What an amazing series of photos. The last one is epic. 😀

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- Phil Lanoue on February 8, 2013 at 10:29 am said:
  
  Thanks a million Sylvia, I’m very happy you like these eagle photos!
  Her boyfriend looks to be little more then a teenager (guess she likes ’em young) and is smaller then her so I doubt he gives her a hard time about anything. 🙂
  
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Rexlin Victor on February 7, 2013 at 11:30 pm said:

Beautiful series!!!

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- Phil Lanoue on February 8, 2013 at 10:30 am said:
  
  Thank you for your kind comment!
  
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lylekrahn on February 8, 2013 at 1:44 am said:

Wonderful shots again Phil. You are fortunate to have that lovely pair hanging around. I’m sure you’ll perform your papparzi function well to keep us up to date.

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- Phil Lanoue on February 8, 2013 at 10:32 am said:
  
  Thanks Lyle, glad you liked these eagle pics. They have been around fairly regularly and we certainly hope they stay. We are not sure yet if they will in fact construct a permanent nest here. It may be next season before we know, but I’m thrilled they like the area so I’m hoping.
  
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janmasyn on February 8, 2013 at 3:13 am said:

Exellent shots Phil, the last one is a beauty.

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- Phil Lanoue on February 8, 2013 at 10:32 am said:
  
  Thanks very much Jan, glad you liked the eagle pics!
  
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Garden Walk Garden Talk on February 8, 2013 at 6:47 am said:

She is a beauty Phil. It is so great to have them so close and willing to be your photo subjects too. I have never gotten close to an eagle, even one living at the farm. Your photos of her are fetching, she would be pleased.

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- Phil Lanoue on February 8, 2013 at 10:34 am said:
  
  She is quite the looker isn’t she?! 🙂 We have been thrilled to have them remain in the area so consistantly. We hope they build a permanent nest here and stay. Thanks much for looking and commneting!
  
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Scott Marshall on February 8, 2013 at 9:30 am said:

right I have to ask the daft question – how can you tell the gender difference 😉

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- Phil Lanoue on February 8, 2013 at 10:38 am said:
  
  The female bald eagle is noticably larger then the male. We have seen them side by side close by, but even from a distance you can tell. Plus their behavior and duties differ. We have seen the one identified as the male chase off another male intruder.
  Her boyfriend is also a younger then the Mrs. (his head has not yet turned completely white)
  I guess she likes them young. 🙂
  
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  - Scott Marshall on February 8, 2013 at 1:58 pm said:
    
    I cant follow that Phil but appreciate your explanation – as always a fabulous set – great colour and pin sharp
    
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Larry on February 8, 2013 at 12:31 pm said:

It is quite plain that South Carolina eagles are much nice than south Florida eagles. Our are just tourists, your are a much nicer lot. She is a real beauty. How long did you have to wait for her to fly?

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- Phil Lanoue on February 9, 2013 at 8:42 am said:
  
  Thanks for your visit here and your kind comments Larry, I appreciate it!
  Our eagles are fairly well behaved, much nicer then some of our human tourists. 😉
  I waited for maybe half an hour for her to leave, it was worth the wait. 🙂
  
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Patrizia M. on February 8, 2013 at 6:35 pm said:

Alla bella signora è stato fatto un servizio fotografico eccezionale 🙂
Ciao, Pat

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- Phil Lanoue on February 9, 2013 at 8:44 am said:
  
  La signora era un modello molto buono! 😀 Grazie Pat
  
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jjsullivan2011 on February 14, 2013 at 11:58 am said:

WOW…you rock!

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