Aerial Combat

Gallery: AvianPosted July 12, 2016126 views7 comments

I witnessed a colony of RW Blackbirds constantly harassing this mother eagle as she flew to and from her nest attending to her full grown fledglings. The blackbirds were relentless. I don't know for sure, but I suspect the blackbirds had a nesting area at the foot of the tree containing the eagle's nest.

Processed using Lightroom CC (2015) and Photoshop CC (2015.5) along with Light Craft's LightZone. Comments and critiques welcome.

Canon 1DX Mark II
Canon 200-400 f4 L IS
f8.0
1/4000s
Focal Length 560mm (Teleconverter Engaged)
ISO 1250

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by David Schoen on July 12, 2016 at 5:34 PM

Nice behavior. I've seen plenty of crows harass Eagles but never a Red Wing Blackbird. Must be a Texas thing.

Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on July 12, 2016 at 7:08 PM

David, It was actually in Wisconsin. Along the Mississippi River.

Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments

Comment posted by Peter J. Morrissey on July 14, 2016 at 1:13 PM

Hi Jerry
Great job getting the Red Wind Blackbird and the Eagle in focus.
Peter

Registered on July 3, 2011, 188 Posts, 969 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Thompson on July 14, 2016 at 4:27 PM

Great capture of the action Jerry. Well done!

Registered on August 7, 2014, 125 Posts, 2319 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Williams on July 14, 2016 at 4:50 PM

This is an amazing catch Jerry. Talk about fearless. Go RWB's.

Registered on December 28, 2010, 636 Posts, 3499 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on July 14, 2016 at 10:55 PM

Fun interaction you managed to capture Jerry. I see this sort of thing a lot and have never been prepared to nab it effectively yet, so congrats. I do wish you had a bit more detail in the blackbird, but it is still a fun image and cool interaction.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on July 18, 2016 at 7:44 PM

Very nice catch, Jerry. The RWBB is in pretty good focus and I love the expression on the eagle.

devil

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments