Hunter Aloft
As I wrote in a recent post, I’ve become much more of a bird admirer in recent years. There seem to be more large birds in this region, primarily raptors, and I can’t help but photograph them when the occasion permits. Today’s photo was taken, as so many of my recent images, in the Shields Valley, where large fields provide ample prey. Golden eagles, with a wingspan of nearly 8 feet, are among the largest birds of prey and in some countries are trained to hunt wolves. For an idea of what this bird is capable of, here’s a YouTube clip to check out…but if you like goats, it may not be the video for you. Nothing gross, but still…
Awesome capture! The YouTube clips were a bit chilling, but shows the great power the golden eagle has. Last weekend we had three large hawks (?) circling the neighborhood. We tried identifying them; they were darker and larger than our usual redtails, the head was different than our vulture, and no snowy breast like several of the other hawks of the area. We tried looking in our field guide and the only bird it resembled was the golden eagle. Seems a bit odd tho for Connecticut, but we haven’t seen them since. We started to wonder why they where circling the house down the hill, but had to think of the miniature Schnauzer that runs free around the property. Eeeeks!
I had a feeling the YouTube bit would get to some people, glad you were still able to appreciate it. I wouldn’t be surprised if what you were seeing last week were golden eagles, maybe two adults and an immature offspring or something. Man, I’d feel bad for that Schnauzer if one of them got the wrong idea for a meal! Thanks for commenting, Diane.
Excellent bird’s eye view here, Code, I like being right up there with that eagle. Cool how you caught the wing tips splayed on one side.
I do like goats, as I grew up milking them before school, so I was curious about the video. Its amazing the grace these birds manage in the midst (and weight) of capture! I’ve read that sometimes eagles hunt in teams, with one eagle trying to separate the young from its mother, so the other could grab it. Nature… at its finest, these birds.
Thanks, Vicki. I had a feeling you’d like this one, what with all the bird lovin’ going on.
Interesting that you mentioned trying to separate the young from its mother… The video clip I linked to is part of a longer bit that shows one trying to do just that. The mother goat charges the eagle every change it gets on flat ground, and the baby must stay right next to its mother the whole time or the eagle will just fly over the mom, grab the young one and take off. Also, the video is in Spanish…I just happened to be with someone fluent in the language when I watched the longer version and it was cool getting a translation on all the commentary from the announcer…who caused my friend to laugh continually at all of his drama!