23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest The American Experience
Wonderful Gift

This photo was taken in Hancock, Wisconsin on the shore of Fish Lake. Our family was at our family cottage for Labor Day weekend 2025. My husband's family built the cottage in 1966. Eagles have only been present on the lake for about the past 10 years. They are always a wonderful surprise experience when we see one fly over. On this day the children were playing in the lake when they saw an eagle catch a fish then fly up toward our cabin. It landed on a branch next to our family cabin to eat the fish. The eagle perched on that branch for about an hour. It is such an amazing gift to have experienced this event as a family, on an American Holiday weekend. This image was in plain sight for our entire family to appreciate and wonder about.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.2025
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: Town of Hancock, Wisconsin, United States of America
Camera: Galaxy S23 Ultra
Copyright: © Danielle Fischer