Bald Eagle - Battered but Unbroken

[NorthernFocus]

This is another image that I ran across in the files and thought it might be interesting to post. I vividly remember shooting this one for reasons explained below. Taken June 13, 2009.

In prior posts I've mentioned how we get shots of eagles fishing by staking out their nests. Early in the season before the salmon are running they have to fish long hours to catch enough to feed he hungry chicks. The mated pair will work as a team to hatch the clutch and feed the chicks. They split time sitting on the eggs and after they hatch they both fish and bring the catch back to feed the kids. What we've typically seen is that when the chicks are still real small one bird will stay on the nest while the other fishes and brings the catch back, drops it off, and returns to fishing.

One of the fjords where we used to like to shoot(we've since moved and it's much farther away) had a high population density of eagles with a lot of competition for space. One morning in that area we set up on an eagle pair that were having a tough day. One of the birds was on the nest fighting off a flock of crows while the mate was fishing, catching mostly tiny candle fish which are maybe six inches long and weigh a couple of ounces. Every time the bird would catch one, it had to run a gauntlet to take it back to the nest.

First there were the other resident eagles that would come and try to take the catch. Even if the bird did manage to evade the thieves, just to make it the hundred yards or so back to the nest it ended up having to fly probably half a mile or so at high speed, diving and dodging. Then after it finally evaded the other eagles as it approached the nest it was accosted by the flock of crows that were hanging around trying to lure the female off he nest so they could grab the chicks. After all of that, it would drop the tiny fish off at the nest and get right back to its fishing perch a couple hundred feet away.

I took this shot on one of his dives after a fish. You can see the bird is soaking wet from making multiple dives already. Eagles' feathers don't repell water like ducks or sea birds. They typically take time to dry out after fishing but this guy couldn't take enough time to do that. Notice how tattered the tips of the primary feathers are. Also if you look carefully there is a slight pink spot lower down on the left side of the breast. Looking at full resolution revealed that to be torn flesh sticking out of the breast, presumably torn by the talons of another eagle.

So I call this image, "Battered but Unbroken". Shot on Prince William Sound on a rare clear, sunny day.

As always, best viewed in the light box.

D300, 200-400mm VR, f/5.6 @ 310 mm, 1/1000, ISO 320

[Shadowman]

Nice back story and image.

[NorthernFocus]

Nice back story and image.

Thanks, John. Not that great an image without the story. Eagles really are warriors if one has the opportunity and time to watch them a bit.

[IzzieK]

My heart breaks for this fella Dan, as I read your story about it...Good shot really as it captures everything you relate about him, the tattered wings, the little trace of blood on the feathers. What a way to raise a child pretty much like we humans endure as we give chance to a part of our lives to them...

[Shadowman]

Thanks, John. Not that great an image without the story. Eagles really are warriors if one has the opportunity and time to watch them a bit.

Dan,

Would have loved to see the eagle running the gauntlet; but even that scenario would require multiple images and text to represent the action.

[NorthernFocus]

Glad you enjoyed the photo, Izzie.

Would have loved to see the eagle running the gauntlet; but even that scenario would require multiple images and text to represent the action.

It really needs video with sound to do it justice.

[Shadowman]

Glad you enjoyed the photo, Izzie.


It really needs video with sound to do it justice.

Agreed, or at least a high speed camera with images compiled into a slideshow.

[chauncey]

Great story and...equality great image.

[DanK]

Dan,

Great story, but I have to disagree with you when you wrote:

Not that great an image without the story.

I think it is an excellent image--technically good and well composed.

Dan

[Nicks Pics]

Thanks for the post and the background story. It is of course, a great catch.

It has always amazed me how hard birds work when raising their nests. And how brave they are as well. They really put out all they've got to accomplish their purpose. His feathers do look ragged- in need of a summer molt.