Trying to get that great shot

On another trip around the area I saw off in the distance what I thought looked like a bald eagle, I was able to get a bit closer and snapped a few photos of it. There isn't much detail of it as I was along ways away when I took this photo, I got out of the car and walked about 15 feet into a muddy field when I looked up from cursing the mud and the eagle had taken off and was even further away. I think I have a lot to learn about trying to get that "great" shot, but I was happy I was able to get a few of this beautiful bird.