On one of their trips to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the McGills ventured out on the beach of Lake Superior to capture the Lake on one of it's wilder days.
While approaching the shoreline, Teresa spotted the white head of a mature Bald Eagle.
Slowly advancing she was able to shoot the majestic creature as it threw itself into the air with it's lunch clutched in it's long talons.
Even this mighty Bald Eagle gets harassed by the pesky seagulls.
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This second year Bald Eagle paid a visit at the McGill's Eagle blind (a 1955 Gem travel trailer).
Teresa was able to capture the vastness of it's wingspan as it landed near the blind.
The young Bald Eagle continued to stay within their cameras' range for the next twenty minutes or so.
It ambled through the carrion pile looking for some juicy morsel to eat.
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These four photos are of Ripper a fourth year American Bald Eagle whom Teresa photographed during the winter months.
She and her husband, Michael the videographer, spent ten to twelve hours at least once a week in a 4x6 blind on a farm in Northern Michigan during the winter of 2006-2007.
This majestic raptor came several different times throughout the winter to feast at the carrion pile.
This time the sun shone on this beautiful Bald Eagle It helped hightlight the beauty of his feathers.
They are so iridescent they look like they were painted on.
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Here are two photos of Ripper, the Bald Eagle who frequently visited the McGills, during a winter storm.
The winds were 35-40 mph with windchills of twenty below.
It seemed the more adverse the weather conditions the more these Bald Eagles thrived on it.
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It's amazing to watch to the interaction of the Bald Eagle and the common Raven.
The level of tolerance that the Bald Eagle displays is unbelievable.
The Ravens pull the tails of these mighty raptors like the little bullies on a playground.
Teresa is in the process of writing a children's story based on the antics of these intelligent creatures.
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The photos below show the various stages of the Bald Eagle's plummage.
The photo on the left is a 1st year (juvenile).
The photo on the right is a second year (note the beautiful white plummage on it's chest).
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The photo below on the left is a third year Bald Eagle.
Teresa thinks this year is one of the most dramatic. They look so menacing.
The photo on the right is a fourth year Bald Eagle.
We named him Mudhen. He has visited the McGills the last three years.
They hope to see him again this winter.
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The photo below on the left is a fifth year Bald Eagle.
Note the trace of dark on its plummage and beak.
It is in fact Mudhen photographed above in his fourth year plummage.
The photo on the right is a sixth year plus. Note the solid gold beak.
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This full mature Bald Eagle visited the area for a couple of days.
He daned to let Teresa snatch a few close-up shots of him.
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Learn more about the American Bald Eagle from the McGills via their DVD 'A Year in the Life' of an American Bald Eagle found on the 'Nature in Motion Artwork' page.
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Michael & Teresa McGill-McGills Nature in Motion
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