Photos by Joan Z. Bonin  photographed at Stony Creek Metropark  4/2/2013


Nature is full of surprise and hold secrets, even in highly populated Oakand County, Michigan.
One such secret was captured by Joan Z. Bonin, an excellent observer of nature's way and a 
highly  accomplished  amateur  photographer.

Not that very long ago bald eagles were on the Endangered Species list struggling to 
survive in an environment tainted  by DDT.  Thanks to the banning of that deadly pesticide
 that spread through the food chain and weakened egg shells, strong federal protection and
 increased public  awareness,  eagles are making a strong comeback in Michigan. 
Eagles are not common in Oakland County but every now and then one is seen.
What is rare is someone capturing dramatic images of an eagle on the hunt.
 Joan Bonin  is a frequent visitor to Stony Creek Metropark. She hikes and kayaks 
this 4,461 Metropark that extends across Oakland and Macomb County 
Earlier this week Joan witnessed an eagle hunting over Stony Lake as she
 looked for beavers to photograph in the lagoons.
Her camera shares more of this wonderful moment of nature at her finest.

Thank you Joan for graciously sharing your photos with me, and now everyone else!

Eagle hovering over the unsuspecting merganser.

The merganser submerged submarine style; for the eagle it was time to dive, talons ready!

Eagle down! Eagles can dive into water to catch prey that is visualized.
  (Osprey-  also found at Stony Creek -are more adapt at this skill)

(Joan's incredible image of the eagle in hot pursuit of the merganser.)
The merganser exploded from under water and 'ran' on the surface
 to gain airspeed with the eagle in winged pursuit. 
 Merganser was not the entree on this day.

The eagle flies on to a destination known to just the eagle and a very few nature-wise humans.
The crow stayed behind his white-headed neighbor,  out of reach and announcing  the eagle.