Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Sea-Eagle plunge misses target


White-bellied Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) turns away empty-taloned after sending wings whirring in all directions at Tyto yesterday.


While lining up an egret in flight, I heard alarm calls and panicked flurries. Plunging form filled the viewfinder as I turned. Didn't expect to see it almost in the water below me. Bird had tried to ambush group of flying cormorants fighting over a fish. Eagle missed target and just avoided feet-first splash. Then it was gone, out of sight high to west. Hard work being a top predator!

6 comments:

Mosura said...

Nice job moving from Egret to Eagle. I'm way too slow and miss a lot of opportunities. We should call you Quick Draw Mcgraw.

Tyto Tony said...

Aw gee, he blushed, I'm jest lucky, I guess.

mick said...

How could I beat that comment! Great photos!

Denis Wilson said...

Hi Tony
You keep the rest of us on our toes.
In fact, I am so slow I specialise in Orchids instead.
Buy i always enjoy your work - and your birds.
Cheers
Denis

Sebastian said...

Nice shots! Are these crops from larger images? I love witnessing the panic when a raptor arrives on the seen.

Tyto Tony said...

Thanks Denis. Bet you're hotfooting it after orchids right now!?

Hi Sebislaw: Both pix close to full frame. Neither super sharp, sadly. Story of my camera life!

Head up for dragonfly, head off for fish head . . .

One moment it's dragonfly trying to dance on White-bellied Sea-Eagle's head, the next it's all go for fisher's discarded fis...