Contemplation

In between soaring, we sometimes catch our neighborhood eagle just hanging out on a branch.  

It's almost like I know when he will be there.  It seems to always happen on a day when I almost leave home without my camera.  But then I think better of it.

Today while enjoying a quiet photo session with my majestic subject, I saw him strike a few poses that I had never seen him do before.  

It was so quiet sitting there watching him, and I noticed how the wind tousled his feathers and scattered a mist of snow from the branches.

And for some reason I focused on studying his plumage, wondering why I had never noticed the white tail feathers before.  

But the one thing that took me by surprise was his reaction to a flock of gulls that were flying over.

His unusual pose made me laugh.

He rolled and twisted his head and then looked straight up in the air.

A behavior I had seen many times before from my parrot.

All at once, I recognized the subtle language he was speaking.  This wild bird of prey.  And it was an amazing moment for someone who almost left home without her camera.