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Jennifer Dowd

A Thanksgiving Morning with a Bald Eagle - Oct 13, 2024

After a full day of birding, I wasn’t sure if I had it in me to head out again on this Sunday morning. My body was sore, but my commitment to practicing wildlife photography every day pushed me out of bed. As I’ve learned, there’s always something magical to see—if you take the time to look. So, I grabbed my camera and headed to a local park, hoping to find kinglets or small birds to photograph.


Unfortunately, luck wasn’t on my side. After wandering the park, camera at the ready, I hadn’t seen anything worthy of capturing. That feeling of slight disappointment started to creep in. But then, as I was about to give up, I ran into two other birders. We shared a lovely chat about local birding activities, and it was refreshing to talk to people who are just as excited about birds as I am. There’s something unspoken we all seem to agree on: birds are magical.


Just before returning to the car, my Aunt spotted a small lizard sunning itself in a cedar bush. As I took his photo, he gave me the side-eye, as if to say, 'Do you mind?' I laughed as I walked back to the car. No birds, but a lizard. That’s the life of a wildlife photographer—when you expect one thing, you get something entirely different. I’m sure the universe was laughing too. 'You wanted some wildlife? Here’s a lizard!

I left the park, feeling a little deflated, and headed back to my car. Determined not to give up entirely, I decided to take the long way home, opting for a scenic country road. That’s when it happened—when nature decided to surprise me.


Suddenly, at the very top of a tall pine tree, I spotted a silhouette. A bird. I couldn’t quite tell what it was, its back facing me. I quickly pulled over, waiting for a safe moment to cross the road, and with my camera in hand, I started snapping shots. Excitement bubbling up, I dashed back to the car to zoom in and see if I could identify this mystery bird. Then, eureka! A bald eagle.

I wasn’t satisfied just yet. I needed a better shot. So, I drove further down the road, looking for a spot to park, and found a friendly-looking driveway. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind. I left the car running, hopped out, and with my camera in hand, took more shots. I was sooooooo electrified and excited! I could hardly contain myself as I raced back to the car to review my photos.


Would the shots turn out? The eagle was far away, and with wildlife photography, nothing is guaranteed. It’s not like you can schedule a photo session with an eagle. But when I zoomed in, there it was: sharp, clear, and regal. A beautiful bald eagle.

I drove home with the biggest smile on my face, feeling on top of the world. Moments like this remind me why I’m so passionate about wildlife photography. The unpredictability of it all makes every successful shot feel like a gift. What a perfect Thanksgiving morning, filled with gratitude, excitement, and the company of one of nature’s most majestic creatures.


Super grateful.

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10月21日
評等為 5(最高為 5 顆星)。

Outstanding,as usual.

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