I’ve visited and blogged the “deer carcass on ice” site for three consecutive days now. The first visit was a career highlight. Yesterday I was a little reckless in my approach and spooked a juvenile eagle off the carcass. (before leaving, I photographed a lake shore scene, choosing a subject that couldn’t run or fly away from me; there’s something to be said for a still life!).
This morning I enlisted the help of Mother Nature in my effort to outwit wary eagles. I arrived mid morning, concealed in a blanket of dense, low fog. The scene was lovely, serene, dreamy, but I couldn’t see anything beyond the immediate foreground.
The fog was rolling along quickly with a westerly breeze, and soon began to dissipate. I didn’t know it at the time, but the darkish spot in the fog layer, left of center, would command my undivided attention for the next 30 minutes.
As the fog lifted, an eagle appeared in the mist. A juvenile Bald Eagle.
I had 30 minutes of quality time with this bird before another vehicle pulled in to the lake access area. Too much disturbance. The party was over.
Photos by NB Hunter. © All Rights Reserved.
Wow! What an opportunity, Nick!! I wonder how the deer died? You know me and my love of deer… always curious.
Thanks! i ask myself the same question everytime I’m on site. At this location, there are several possibilities. Maybe it was hit by a vehicle and died on the lake. There are seasonal camps around a portion of the lake and it’s also possible someone found a road kill and hauled it onto the ice to feed/observe critters. Will let you know if I find the answer!
Nick,
These are fabulous. Put them on my order list!
Lisa
Thanks Lisa. There are times when I’d trade everything except my dog for a serious telephoto lens – this was one of them.
Juvenile birds are so difficult for me to identify—This is really helpful to see a juvenile eagle..
Fantastic captures!
Nice pictures, where was this taken?