Bald eagles will sometimes chase mallards, but the river offers much easier prey. Coots raft together by the thousands and these calm birds are a favorite meal. The strong wind allows an eagle the rare chance to hover like a smaller raptor, the kite.
There's more than enough prey for every eagle, but thievery is in their nature. As one hunter lands at a muskrat hut, other eagles immediately try to steal his prize.
This autumn bounty is a returning glimmer of the old days.