Stare, Launch, Flight, Kill, Reward

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The stare, launch, flight, kill, and the reward!The Stare.  It is like they look right into your soul or through you. Their eyesight is so good I wonder if they are looking at their reflection in the lens.

The catch

The eating of the vole.You get all that?

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look!
Life is good and I am blessed!
Kent 

Mississippi River Eagles

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It has been 9 winters since I have photographed American Bald Eagles on the mighty Mississippi River below Lock and Dam 14, just north of the Quad Cities.  This is one of my happy winter places as this is where the entire wildlife photography journey started back in 2010.  The light was all over the place today from heavy clouds, snow, and partial sunshine.  Wind was perfect for most of the afternoon, strong from the South.  At L&D 14 you want a North or South wind, otherwise you end up with nothing but butt shots.   I think I might go back Friday, but we really need more snow on the ground and more ice on the river. 

Trumpeter Swan

2.5 year of Juvenile

American White Pelican

Not all fishing passes are successful.  I like it when they missed, as it brings several other eagles into the action.  This is 1 pound gizzard shad.

Who want to go photograph eagles soon?

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look!
Life is good and I am blessed!
Kent 

Coming in to Perch

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I watched and photographed this Great Grey Owl (GGO) three different times.  This is the same as as in the snowy previous post.  I was driving to next location when I spotted this owl hunting.  So I got ahead of it and setup on it’s favorite hunting perch and let it come to me.

Next up a hunting series with a successful catch!

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look!
Life is good and I am blessed!
Kent

Tree Topper

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I am always amazed at the small branches these owls perch on. The Great Gray Owl (GGO) is the largest of the owls.
 
A snippet from wikipedia: Much of its size is deceptive, since this species’ fluffy feathers, large head and the longest tail of any extant owl obscure a body lighter than that of most other large owls. The length ranges from 61 to 84 cm (24 to 33 in), averaging 72 cm (28 in) for females and 67 cm (26 in) for males. The wingspan can exceed 152 cm (5 ft 0 in), but averages 142 cm (4 ft 8 in) for females and 140 cm (4 ft 7 in) for males. The adult weight ranges from 580 to 1,900 g (1.28 to 4.19 lb), averaging 1,290 g (2.84 lb) for females and 1,000 g (2.2 lb) for males.[5] The males are usually smaller than females, as with most owl species.
 
This was the second of 10 GGO encounters on Wednesday 1/15/2025 in Northeastern MN / Sax Zim Bog areas. This photo was taken in a light snow fall. I returned to this perch later in the day and watched it successfully hunt several times. Flight shots to follow in the future. So many photos to edit.
 
Thanks for stopping by and taking a look!
Life is good and I am blessed!
Kent