Eagles

[MossRoad]

I was fishing from shore at a local lake a few years ago. Not catching anything, not even a bite. Maybe 2 hours. Along comes this juvenile bald eagle. I'm watching it fly left to right, about 50 yards out in front of me. All of a sudden, it drops from the sky, grabs a 10" fish right off the surface, and flies away. I packed up my stuff and went to the car.

 

[cqaigy2]

Ha ha, birds eye view of the fish, so to speak.

 

[MossRoad]

I smiled and watched it fly away with it's meal, but figured it was a sign I was doing it wrong. Am considering spear fishing from ultra-light aircraft now. :laughing:

 

[Jstpssng]

Great pictures!

I didn't realize Eagles would feed on dead spoils like buzzards.

They enjoy their food more if somebody else has done the work. Years ago I was driving down the road and an osprey had caught a fish. An eagle dive bombed him right in front of my truck and stole the fish, leaving the osprey stunned on the side of the road. I turned around and parked on the shoulder with the 4-ways on, until he recovered enough to get out of the road.

 

[Hay Dude]

I have been farming for decades and I see Eagles as often as most people see robins.
Although a striking looking, large bird of prey, they are a mean, bully of a bird and they frequently take the path of least resistance, feeding on the easiest thing they can find to eat. While most animals behave similarly, the Eagle is exceptionally opportunistic. I have seen multiple Eagles attack buzzards, ospreys and smaller birds of prey, stealing their prey like hyenas from a lion.

A real hunter is a hawk. Although smaller, it will almost exclusively eat live prey and will take on some pretty big snakes and other decent size mammals. Osprey exceptionally skilled taking prey off water. Owls of course the nighttime hunter.

 

[ovrszd]

While I agree with Hay Dude's assessment, this Red Tailed Hawk took the wiser road and pigged out on roadkill Deer.

 

[Hay Dude]

While I agree with Hay Dude's assessment, this Red Tailed Hawk took the wiser road and pigged out on roadkill Deer.


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:thumbsup:
Thats why I said “ almost exclusively “.

Im sure it all depends on how much the belly is growling.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

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Speaking of buzzards......These guys keep following me around, every morning on my walk.

I wonder if they know something I don't?

Just say'n...

 

[2LaneCruzer]

While I agree with Hay Dude's assessment, this Red Tailed Hawk took the wiser road and pigged out on roadkill Deer.


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Can someone explain the apparent pieces of rebar that seem to have the deer impaled? Thought at first they might be arrows, but no feathers.

 

[Citydude]

Can someone explain the apparent pieces of rebar that seem to have the deer impaled? Thought at first they might be arrows, but no feathers.

Looks like the hawk is wondering the same thing?