I was coming home today and was priviledged to get within 25 - 30 feet of an American Bald Eagle on roost. It flew across the road and I turned the truck around to see if it was what I thought it was. Spooked him off roost before I could get my phone on the camera setting but I burst shot about 20 frames to get these two shots. I know the pics are not good but at least I was able to get them in the low winter sun because I couldn't see anything on the screen - I was basically shooting blind. I was one Hwy 75 between Cleveland and Helen at the base of Yonah mountain and also saw another pair(maybe) soaring above that he eventually joined before I lost them.
I saw a pair fly over Helen in 1980ish with my dad and I've seen them on Lake Lanier and Alaska, but I have never been that close to such a magnificent bird (I always have several Redtails nest on my property). I was able to watch him for several minutes after he left the roost and I have to tell you - it was a wonderful sight to watch. I have been extremely close to turkeys and deer in the wild before, but I don't think anything has excited me more than this lately. Simple pleasures LOL
Wish they were better pictures for you. I cropped these and intensified the background a little.
I saw a pair fly over Helen in 1980ish with my dad and I've seen them on Lake Lanier and Alaska, but I have never been that close to such a magnificent bird (I always have several Redtails nest on my property). I was able to watch him for several minutes after he left the roost and I have to tell you - it was a wonderful sight to watch. I have been extremely close to turkeys and deer in the wild before, but I don't think anything has excited me more than this lately. Simple pleasures LOL
Wish they were better pictures for you. I cropped these and intensified the background a little.