DSC_4533 - 2012-07-17 at 21-34-48
A bald eagle's lifting power is about 4 pounds.
Once an eagle spots a fish swimming or floating near the surface of the water, it approaches its prey in a shallow glide (like you've all seen on TV) and snatches the fish out of the water with a quick swipe of its talons. If an eagle is dragged into the water by a fish too large for the eagle to lift, it is because the eagle refuses to release it. In some cases this is due to hunger. An eagle might drown during the encounter with the fish or if it's unable to swim far enough to reach shore.
In this shallow river the eagles just walked around in the water waiting for fish or finding dead ones washed up on gravel bars.
NIKON CORPORATION NIKON D300, ISO 200, No Flash
© Gene Knudsen Photography
