"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?"

Bald Eagle (Mature) - 5 Photos

I suppose it's a good thing, in a way, that we don't know what wildlife is thinking when we take a photograph. 

This Bald Eagle was keeping an eye on the ducks swimming in the river. His attention shifted to several fishermen who walked under his tree during the course of the afternoon, on their way to that perfect "fishing" location.

I don't know whether it was the equipment they were carrying such as nets & poles, etc. or whether he was wondering why humans need so much stuff to catch fish, when an eagle comes all equipped.

Birds do have expressions but not through facial muscles like ourselves. For example, they can use change the shape of their eyes or pupil size or use head tilts and feather fluffing. So I'm not certain whether this eagle's looks were of disdain or curiosity or even perhaps, a question of how can I get in on the action and steal a fish from a line.

I remember being told a story by a fellow who had been out on the coast fishing with some friends. Having caught a fish, he turned around to see a bear coming out of the woods. So he dropped the fish and everyone made a quick exit, only to see the bear dining on the freshly caught catch. Because it was such a great fishing spot, they returned later in the day only to have the incident repeated. At that point, they left for good this time. His comment was, "I was not spending my time catching fish for some bear". The bear's attitude was probably "Why do all the hard work when you have humans to do it for you." And who's going to argue with a bear?? :) 

So it's probably good we just don't know.

PHOTO #1

PHOTO #2

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PHOTO #5