A chance encounter with a Bald Eagle

While driving home from our recent trip to Itasca State Park and Big Bog State Recreation Area, we had a lucky encounter with a bald eagle.  We were driving along the highway near Togo, MN when we rounded a bend in the highway and saw a bald eagle sitting high in a pine tree on the left side of the road.  We stopped and backed up to get a better look but as often happens when you try to get a better look at an eagle, he took flight and was gone.  We quickly noticed, however, that there was another eagle perched on top of a broken birch tree.  This eagle was perfectly content with our presence, as he sat there preening for a long time as we watched him.  I kept hoping he would take off while we were there, as I was in a prime position to photograph him taking flight.  Sure enough, after what was a VERY long 5 minutes, he perked up, leaned forward then stretched his wings and took off.  I captured a series of images as he took flight and wanted to share those image with you today.  I cherish every encounter I've ever had with an eagle, and this one was no different :-)