Dangerous Encounters - Bald Eagle

#1 in a 4-part series.

Dangerous Encounters: There can’t be another way to describe some of the crazy stuff I do and some of the scrapes I get myself into. Thankfully, so far, I’ve been able to get out of every single one. I realize I may not always be so fortunate, and I have kids now, so I’ve toned it down a bit. Real quick here, I’ve decided to jot down a few of my more crazy experiences, and I’d love to hear some of yours!

I’m an avid birdnerd (yes, that’s one-upin’ your average birder), photographer, conservationist, and all-around lover of critters. All of these things combined can often spell disaster and sudden fear, with occasional mini heart attacks.

I was photographing Bald Eagles on a flowage outside of Jackson County, Wisconsin like I always did on nice days, when suddenly I noticed that one of the eagles was flying closer and closer – right at eye level. Like the crazy person I was, I lowered my camera and stood watching the magnificent bird come closer… and closer… and closer still, until it was about five feet from my face. Knowing what these birds are capable of doing to a person’s body, as they go directly for your eyes, I ducked, and just in time! The eagle flew right where my face would have been. With my heart pounding and my face nothing but a huge cheesy “that was a close one” grin, I turned around and slowly got to my feet, watching the beautiful bird as it curved around and headed back out over the open water.

source - my photos are currently lost

That wasn’t the first time, and I highly doubt it will be the last time, when I have ended up a little too close to a Bald Eagle and it has let me know in one way or the other.

This is the first in a series of Dangerous Encounters – stay tuned for more! Originally posted on the Ornery Biologist site.