Wedgetailed Eagle

[SteveMace]

G'Day everyone...this is my first post so hopefully I get it right. :)

I don't do much in the way of animal photography but the opportunity arose. Lens was 75-300mm and shot was at 300mm f/5.6 1/90th sec. Comments and suggestions are appreciated.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~stevemace/photos/CRW_0050.jpg

[Vetteography]

Look at the size of the claws and beak on that monster... great shot! How big do they get?

[skade]

G'Day steve and welcome! Thats a great shot!

[Paul_O]

Nice shot Steve, you don't see too many of them around nowadays. :(

As for the size, I believe the largest have a wingspan of 2.5m (8ft)! :shock:

With a wingspan of up to 2.5m, the Wedge-tailed Eagle is the most well known, and largest, of Australia's raptors. These mighty birds will soar on thermal currents to heights of 2 kilometers or more in search of prey. It feeds on dead carrion, young kangaroos, reptiles and small birds, but the majority of it's diet consists of rabbits. When breeding the Wedge-tailed Eagle pairs perform spectacular flights over their territory. Pairs are permanent and hold a large territory surrounding the nest, regularly patrolling the boundaries. In Perth, they are most often seen along the edge of the Darling Scarp.Size: 90cm (male) 1m (female)

From http://www.birdsofperth.com/default.htm

[Paul A]

Very cool bird, great shot. Ever seen a Tasmanian Devil?

[guitarman3]

Very nice Steve! Beautiful capture.

[CyberDyneSystems]

WOW!

That's a wonderfull shot.. the pose is amazing.. WOW!

[Airedale1]

Welcome to the forum and that's a super capture!

[SteveMace]

Thanks for the comments everyone.

to Paul A re:Tasmanian Devil (focus is a little off but see link below)
http://members.iinet.net.au/~stevemace/2005_0504/tnails_04.htm

Tasmanian Devils are just about to be place on the treatened species list due to facial tumors that have affected over 70% of the Devil population in some parts of Tasmania.

[sixshot]

Welcome. Nice shot.

[Titus213]

That is some photo. Very nice indeed. It is a very impressive bird. And the fact that you got it at 1/90 at 300mm is something too.

Welcome to the forums.

[RockOne]

Great shot. magnificent bird !

[cfcRebel]

Oh wow! Look at the hairy legs!:shock: Beautiful capture Steve!
How far were you from the eagle?

[Mannytkd]

What a fantastic photo. Birds of prey are my favourite animals of all animals they have that great stare and sinister look about them, to me they rule the skies.......:lol: ;)

Try and get some more......?

[SteveMace]

cfcRebel - The bird(s) were actually at a wildlife park due to them being injured and no longer able to fly. The setting that they are in lets you get to within 15m(?) of them... no fences, they have built an island in part of their lake so that they cannot get away - bit sad for such an impressive looking bird.

Mannytkd - I have a couple more pictures at the following link (hopefully the page still works):
http://members.iinet.net.au/~stevemace/2005_0504/index.htm

[Mannytkd]

The link worked fine, so all i can sya to that is.....i looked, i saw, i liked.....;)

cfcRebel - The bird(s) were actually at a wildlife park due to them being injured and no longer able to fly. The setting that they are in lets you get to within 15m(?) of them... no fences, they have built an island in part of their lake so that they cannot get away - bit sad for such an impressive looking bird.

Mannytkd - I have a couple more pictures at the following link (hopefully the page still works):
http://members.iinet.net.au/~stevemace/2005_0504/index.htm