Stumbling upon this beautiful Eagle was an extremely pleasant surprise.  My husband, Fred, and I had just returned from a relaxing vacation in Tennessee.  My daughter, Kyra, picked us up from the airport and asked us to drop her off at the gym.     After we dropped Kyra off, Fred raced me to the driver’s seat, which I found odd since he rarely drives my car.  Instead of taking the road home, he turned to go back the same way we just came. I was about to ask why we weren’t going home when he pulled off to the side of the road next to a water treatment plant.  Excitedly he said, “get your camera out, there’s an Eagle!” He saw the Eagle when we passed by the first time and hoped it would still be there after our detour. He was right! I always travel with my camera gear, and fortunately, I had my long lens with me (Nikon 200-500mm).  However, it started to rain, and I was forced to shoot from the inside of the car with the window down just enough to slide the end of my lens through.   

As he perched on a limb high in a pine tree, I was able to snap off quite a few pictures before I realized I was shaking as a result of the excitement of encountering this majestic creature.  As a matter of fact, we have taken several trips to various locations where Eagles have been spotted, but the timing has never been right. I have yet to photograph an Eagle in its natural habitat.  Until now!! In my excitement, I had lost track of my breathing and was rather nervous. With a little encouragement from Fred, I settled down, took a few deep breaths, and started shooting again. This Eagle stayed rather still and occasionally turned his head side to side.  The rain had stopped and the water droplets around the bird glistened in the sun. Now his beautiful white head was spotted from the rain and it actually looked a bit dirty like he needed a bath. We soon realized he was not alone. His mate had flown back into the water treatment area and was apparently calling him and away he flew in all his splendor.  

My heart was still racing and as I grinned ear to ear, I was reminded that there is beauty all around me.  I did not have to travel outside of my community to capture this beautiful bird. This time, beauty was found in the most unlikely place, a water treatment plant.  I now find myself taking this road whenever possible, in hopes of getting another glimpse of this grand bird.