A bald eagle faces the viewer with its wings spread wide. One wing is a field of white stars on blue, and the feathers of both wings are striped in red and cream like a flag. Its white head and pale yellow beak catch the light.

Behind it a low sun sends golden rays across a sky of heavy, sculpted clouds in crimson, cream and slate blue. Dark mountain ridges roll away below. The paint is piled on in thick palette-knife strokes, which gives the sky real movement and makes the scene feel bold and dramatic.