Early evening is a great time for bald eagle watching, and 25 people spent a recent Friday on a Rivershore Charter Boat cruising the Occoquan River. The boat was hired by Hartwell Capitol Consulting for its client appreciation event.

Hartwell, who goes eagle scouting once a month, is a lifelong Lorton resident and hosts the annual Eagle Festival at Mason Neck State Park. The park is home to the Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge (named after his mother), which is a sanctuary for bald eagles. The area is home to 50-60 eagles. 

"Because the weather was perfect, and most of the business leaders and military veterans (and Prince William Delegate Rich Anderson) on the cruise had personal and business connections, the cruise alone was very special," said Hartwell. "And then the eagles cooperated along the shore in a big way, putting on quite a show."

Enjoy the photos! They were taken by Tabetha Chandler of Security Technology Services, Inc.