Saw an interesting exchange this week between a Harlan's Hawk and an almost-mature Baldy. I didn't get all the action in the camera unfortunately but I got a few shots.
The Hawk initially has the rodent and as I approach in my vehicle, he flies off with it (which is ALWAYS the case with this guy!) He does not like to be near vehicles! So he flies over a nearby lake heading for his favorite tree to devour the rodent, accidentally dropping his prize into the lake. Unbeknownst to me, the eagle was watching all the time and within seconds of the drop, the eagle swoops down for a free meal off the surface of the water. So I scramble to attempt shots of the unexpected eagle with his prey.
These are not technically great shots but I wanted to share what I had captured. The eagle shots, especially, are large crops. Interesting how the eagle transfers the rodent from his talons to his beak in mid-flight. Thanks for viewing the shots!
Here's the hawk with his catch
Here's the hawk after he dropped it--not real happy with me I'm sure for approaching with the vehicle!
The eagle just after acquiring the unfortunate victim.
The eagle after the transfer to the beak.
Apparently another attempted transfer but he was getting quite far away at this point.
