At the bottom of the stairs, on the ground level of the Ocean City Welcome & Information Center, I had my first Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) sighting. The eagle stood by edge of the water, its powerful body framed between the shimmering marsh water and the green grass in the foreground. Its sharp, hooked beak and intense gaze exuded, at least to me, strength and dominance. Excited, I ran under the bridge toward the water, hoping to get a closer look.
Under the bridge, it was shaded and cool, a nice break from the sun. As I got closer, I noticed a man standing nearby, doing exactly what I wanted to do – photographing the eagle. We exchanged greetings and talked about how unusual it was to see an eagle at the salt marsh. Bald Eagles aren’t typically seen here. We were both thrilled by the unexpected opportunity to photograph this bird.
Seeing the Bald Eagle’s powerful presence and striking white head was exciting. I managed to capture some wonderful photographs. The eagle was being dive-bombed by a few shorebirds, which I couldn’t identify. The attacking birds were a blur of motion above the eagle, their wings swept back like a fighter plane. Despite the barrage, the eagle remained unfazed, maintaining its dignified stance.
After repeated harassment from the other birds, the Bald Eagle decided it was time to move on. I captured a photograph mid-flight, with its wings spread wide, showcasing the patterns of its feathers. The motion of its powerful wings displayed grace and agility.
Learning that the Bald Eagle is critically endangered (S1B, S1N) in New Jersey made this sighting even more special. According to NatureServe, this status means the Bald Eagle is at a very high risk of local extinction during both the breeding and non-breeding seasons.