19th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Duck's last flight

This photograph captures a bald eagle flying with his prey at the Olympic Peninsula's Pacific coast in Washington State. Our family was out for a walk on the Olympic Peninsula's Pacific coast in Washington State celebrating a birthday. We walked south on the wet beach sand to Kalaloch Creek's inlet, watching the waves and picking up sand dollars and shells. Since it was not possible to cross the Creek, we turned around and my son spotted a bold eagle eating a duck -- his prey -- at the very same spot where we walked a minute ago. We watched the eagle having his lunch on the sand, glancing at us, then flying with his prey to a nearby tree and resting after the meal.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 11.2020
Date Uploaded: 11.2021
Photo Location: Washington, United States of America
Camera: NIKON D3500
Copyright: © Elena Erosheva