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!
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6 comments:

  1. MosuraDecember 1, 2009 at 4:37 PM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Tyto TonyDecember 1, 2009 at 9:21 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  3. mickDecember 2, 2009 at 4:49 AM

    How could I beat that comment! Great photos!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Denis WilsonDecember 2, 2009 at 10:14 PM

    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

    ReplyDelete
  5. SebastianDecember 3, 2009 at 7:11 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  6. Tyto TonyDecember 3, 2009 at 1:54 PM

    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!

    ReplyDelete

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