Photographer who captured 'Bruce the bald eagle' in symmetrical reflection on water becomes toast of social media

A Canadian photographer who snapped a stunning image of a bald eagle has been overwhelmed by its popularity since he posted it on Instagram and Facebook. Weeks after first posting the image online it is still gaining attention and compliments.

Mr. Biro said seeing the eagle close up was "an amazing experience".

Steve Biro took the picture of the bald eagle, named Bruce by staff at the Canadian Raptor Conservancy, as it swooped towards him over a pond. The large bird appears to stare straight down the lens of the camera, its wings outstretched and the tips of its feathers dragging across the surface of the water.

"The eagle was literally flying inches over my head where I was sitting. It was an amazing experience," Mr Biro wrote in a Facebook post accompanying a video showing the bird in flight in slow motion.

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The image has gained worldwide attention but Bruce did not seem too happy with Mr. Biro when he set up to take the shot.

"Wow! This photo is just breathtaking … Absolutely stunning. You are very talented!! I've enjoyed your other photos too. Thank you," a user wrote on Mr Biro's Instagram post of the image, which has been liked 4,034 times.

Steve Biro was on his second visit to the Canadian Raptor Conservancy in Ontario in early May, hoping to capture some good reflection shots of Bruce, the resident bald eagle. The last time he visited, the water was quite rippled, and he didn't get the images he had hoped for.

This is the photo Biro took of the eagle right after he landed. It sure looks like Bruce was glaring.