Posted by Bill Maile on November 20, 2011 at 12:47 PM
The other gloomy day, I had just pulled up near the boat launch to this lake. An eagle was perched in one of its favorite trees, and a GBH, as normally, was sitting below in the water. Not uncommon at all.
Unfortunately, I was this far away with a 300mm lens, probably a few hundred yards at least... and the quality is quite poor.
When the eagle dove down and started aggressively chasing the heron. The heron was shrieking the whole time, and just ditched it in the lake. The eagle dove down at it, talons down, several times, and circled as the heron flopped helplessly in the water.
I don't think any damage was done, as the eagle flew off... and I'm sure this is not uncommon, I've seen them go at each other in the air a bit, but I can't recall seeing this level of aggressiveness from an eagle toward the heron. Anyway, just sharing, thanks!!
Posted by Buck Ward on November 20, 2011 at 12:55 PM
I've seen an eagle take a cattle egret. I've seen an eagle chase an osprey to steal its fish. I've seen flocks of wading birds take flight in panic when an eagle flies over, but I've never seen and eagle chase or harass a large wading bird. Most interesting.
Posted by Bill Maile on November 20, 2011 at 1:16 PM
Well that's interesting Buck. Yes, I've seen the osprey/eagle air battles, eagle/TVs too... in that case, I'll post a few more from this brief encounter--I had literally just gotten out of my vehicle when this began.
Posted by Bill Maile on November 20, 2011 at 1:19 PM
I had a single Canadian goose in our back pasture close to our barn. After three days of hanging around she decided to take flight and as soon as she got about 30' high a resident bald eagle took after her with such zeal and ferocity. I have never seen a Bald Eagle fly so fast. After criss-crossing our pasture a couple of times the pursuit took them off our pasture and out of sight. Beats me. Perhaps the goose was viewed as a competitor.
Posted by Nick Baldwin on November 21, 2011 at 3:26 PM
That is some good "event" recording. I like it when I can record an interesting event in nature even if the photos don't warrent enlarging.
I too have witnessed a BE chase an Osprey (unfortunately only had P&S camera so just watched).
Have however shot the immediate aftermath of BE diving into flotilla of Coots. He/She didn't get one but it surely caused mass panic and exotus from the pond. I had been unawares of the BE; had observed the coots to see if anything interesting was swimming with them. Turned away to go somewhere else and it "exploded!" Upon looking back managed to capture the eagle leaving the flock and them dispersing. Wasn't all that exciting a shot as eagle was empty handed but certainly was fun!
Keep up good work.
Discussion
6 repliesUnfortunately, I was this far away with a 300mm lens, probably a few hundred yards at least... and the quality is quite poor.
When the eagle dove down and started aggressively chasing the heron. The heron was shrieking the whole time, and just ditched it in the lake. The eagle dove down at it, talons down, several times, and circled as the heron flopped helplessly in the water.
I don't think any damage was done, as the eagle flew off... and I'm sure this is not uncommon, I've seen them go at each other in the air a bit, but I can't recall seeing this level of aggressiveness from an eagle toward the heron. Anyway, just sharing, thanks!!
Sandy
I too have witnessed a BE chase an Osprey (unfortunately only had P&S camera so just watched).
Have however shot the immediate aftermath of BE diving into flotilla of Coots. He/She didn't get one but it surely caused mass panic and exotus from the pond. I had been unawares of the BE; had observed the coots to see if anything interesting was swimming with them. Turned away to go somewhere else and it "exploded!" Upon looking back managed to capture the eagle leaving the flock and them dispersing. Wasn't all that exciting a shot as eagle was empty handed but certainly was fun!
Keep up good work.