Eagle Snatching A Salmon

[MegaTrixel]

All of these eagle posts around here made me want to get my $.02 in. I shot this eagle while I was at McNeil river photographing bears. The bright and sunny day gave me some exposure troubles, and I was using borrowed gear (... see, here come the excuses). So I was bummed that I overexposed the pic. If I had a choice of whether I'd rather expose the white head and tail properly or the dark body, I'd choose the head and tail.

But anyway, for me, it's a unique shot. Because even though I've seen a ton of eagles, it's been rare when I've seen one swoop down for a fish. Most of the time they're eating something already dead.

http://www.pbase.com/image/39400035.jpg



This eagle was resting on a pier post. I didn't like the post so I cropped this image.
http://www.pbase.com/image/39400392.jpg


And finally, this last pic is of an eagle just before it is released into the wild. It had been spending time at a wildlife clinic recuperating from an injury. It still looks a little haggard to me but it flew off with strength and ease.
http://www.pbase.com/image/39400491.jpg

[CyberDyneSystems]

Great shots,. I love the last one because it gives you a real idea of the scale!

These thoings are as big as a German Shepherd for christs sake! ;)

The birds head, front to back is nearly as big as that guys,. and look at those meathooks!
There a few inches long!

[Cash--]

just wow.....

[Maz]

Those are nice photos. I really like the fish capture.

Thanks,
Maz
http://www.homesteadsforsale.com

[RockOne]

Excellent work.

[Alan B]

Very nice piccies :cool:

Wish we had them in the UK :(

Alan

[Mills]

WoW. Great Shots. Nice catch for both of you in # 1.

[Fer]

Great shots!, specially the 1st one!

[Reigh Higgins]

Great! Right place at the right time.

[mattg]

First shot with the fish is amazing... Great job!

[LazyPhotographer]

Amazing! Look at the size of the talons!

[dewmuw]

Very nice piccies :cool:

Wish we had them in the UK :(

Alan

Until you got up one morning and found them eating all this fish in your pond! :)

Head up to Mull and see the white tailed sea eagles - three times as big as one of these.

Great shots by the way - I love the scale in #3 and the size of the claws.

[TammieO]

Wow, I've only seen them from a long distance. #3 really shows how big they are.

[Bruce Hamilton]

Most of the time they're eating something already dead.

Probably just the time you catch them... Most birds of prey prefer to catch their dinner live as opposed to scavenging an already dead carcass.

[HJMinard]

Nice, MT ... as always!

[MegaTrixel]

Thanks everyone!

CDS, I'm always amazed when I see bald eagles in captivity. They look so huge. Funny thing, you would think a big bird like that would rule the sky. But sometimes I've seen them harrassed unmercifully by much smaller birds like arctic terns, and even gulls. When these small birds are determined to defend the nest they can practically fly circles around a big lumbering eagle. Often both parents will team up to chase off a baldy.

Damian, I'd love to see a shot of one of those white-tailed sea eagles!

Bruce, no doubt you are correct. I do see them eating on spawned out salmon carcasses though.

Again, thank you to everyone for your comments.

[Richard51]

Believe it or not, bald eagles are making a comeback in Arkansas, U. S. A. around some of our lakes and rivers. Was out yesterday hoping for a chance to photograph one, but only saw one at a distance, no chance to get a pic. Your photos are great. I like the salmon catch.

[stoneylonesome]

Beautiful shots, great capture.

[dewmuw]

Damian, I'd love to see a shot of one of those white-tailed sea eagles!



I've actually got one of me with an injured bird on my arm, but it wasn't my photo and I don't have a scanner! The thing wasn't fully grown and it was huge - they have an 8-9ft wing span.

I'll try and scan it in work and show you - it is a good way to show the size of the thing.