you never hear much
about how well eagles fish–
it is all about hunting
the dramatics
of fast dives from high up
the shaping
of those shadow throwing wings
into taloned spears
downthrust like lightning
you never hear of how those wings
stroked at the tip
with a bit of white
can float on air
stretching bank to bank in spots
as they hunt trout or salmon
this shallow
there is no winging to a controlled dive
just casual scooping and skimming
hunting lazily
just below the surface
once, no fear in those pale eyes
not even curiosity
an eagle tore into a steelhead
to big to carry
barely three feet
from where I sat
on a stone
occasionally meeting my eyes
and daring me just once
to move
a fraction closer
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Lots of eagles in my neck of the woods. It really is something to see them fish, but the more urban ones have developed a taste for seagull and roaming housecats, and even blue heron chicks. Up close and personal, their talons are nasty looking weapons.
Agree with you about the talons, but what really gets me is that LOOK in their eyes–no fear at all–just that level yellow stare, daring you to mess with them.
And imagine that, no concealed weapon!
Nope–the weapons are right there, all sharp and shiny 🙂
awesome flight!