In yesterday’s post I bellyached about Golden Eagles being one of my most difficult and uncooperative subjects. Methinks I should complain more often.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM @ 321mm, not baited, set up or called in
Yesterday I had just turned tail and headed for home after an unproductive morning looking for cooperative birds when I spotted this Golden Eagle perched in a small tree directly in front of me and right next to the left side of the road. When I stopped my pickup to take a few photos the light angle wasn’t a good one and there were lots of twigs in front of the bird. I don’t like to flush birds, especially raptors, but eventually I had to pass by the tree on my way home so I fully expected the eagle to take off because I had to pass by so close. I was hugely surprised when it didn’t, at least not for a while.
After I passed the eagle and looked back at it in better light I was a little too close for takeoff or flight shots of such a huge bird with my 500mm lens so I switched to another camera with my smaller zoom lens attached in case the eagle took off. Eventually it did.
But given the shape of the small tree it was perched in the eagle had a potential problem during takeoff. While the bird was perched in the tree that thick vertical branch on our left was actually touching the front of its folded right wing. So how could the bird take off without hitting the branch with its wing on the first downstroke?
The solution was to take off sideways which provided some rather interesting takeoff and flight postures. This is one of them.
I like the unusual, nearly horizontal angle of the legs as the eagle pushed off sideways from the perch and the atypical shapes of the wings as the bird performs the awkward and complicated maneuver. And then there are those powerful feet and sharp and intimidating talons.
For me the crowning glory (literally) is the striking signature field mark of the Golden Eagle, that golden nape hanging down on either side of its head which reminds me of the tresses of an aging, balding male hippie with too much hair dye at his disposal (I’m not sure why my mind goes there but it constantly does with this image.)
There’s more to the story than this but I haven’t yet had time to process the other takeoff and flight photos so I’ll likely publish the rest of the images in a series and complete the story soon.
Ron
Note: My “old hippie” reference is far from a disparagement. I tend to like and respect most old hippies.
Late to the party today 😁
My first thought when I saw this was… little tree, big bird ❗️ Gorgeous
Yup, that monster in the small, leafless tree stood out like a sore thumb when I spotted it.
Fantastic shot!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
Luck was finally a lady.
I am blown away by the dexterity and adaptability of the eagle. Love those talons and the gaze too. And the very evident immense power.
No label fits me very well, but old hippy comes close. And yes, disco left me cold.
EC, I hate to admit it but I did like some of the “better” disco music but I thought the dancing and all of the rest of the trappings that go with it were ridiculous in the extreme. Still do.
Be still my heart! As for the landing and takeoff, just goes to prove that raptors (and other critters) are generally really good with spatial awareness! And yes, that nape is glorious but there’s also that sheer intensity in their gaze! Sigh!
From an old hippie kid flower child who still holds values of personal integrity and ethics 😉
Yup, most birds have spatial awareness down pat. Thanks, Laura.
Awesome Ron! Yes, keep those complaints coming!
Best,
Gail
You can count on it, Gail!
Best looking old hippy I’ve ever seen 🙂 Great Shot!
What a WONDERFUL, UNUSUAL, SHOT!!! So glad I didn’t miss it❤️
Happy Valentine Day, to you snd your loyal viewers….❤️❤️❤️
Thank you, Patty.
Now that made me smile, Joanne.
That photo has to be the most dynamic posture ever captured ! This old hippie just adored the clip– what a way to start my day–felt like a ‘valentine”–thanks !
Well then, a double Happy Valentine’s Day to you, Kris!
Wow!!!! Just wow.
Thanks, Arwen.
WOW! Most impressive to me is the size…OF THOSE FEET! Just looking at the visual comparison of the toes to the size of the branch he must have been perched on makes me wonder how he could even perch comfortably on it without injuring his own feet with those talons wrapped. I pity any prey that will eventually be caught/carried off in the grasp of those feet! Anxious to see more of this mighty bird. 😍 ( your comments made me smile…I have an old classmate back in MI who fits your ‘olde hippie’ description!
Kathy, what surprised me most (and made me wonder) is how in the hell did that bird land there in the first place without banging its right wing on the vertical branch? I’m thinking that landing might have been as eye-catching as the takeoff.
PS: Happy Valentine’s Day to all your Feathered followers 🙂
Same to you, Everett.
I second that! 🙂
Outstanding action take off photo of a stunning bird. What a beauty and such a sharp photo. You got the eyes and those very sharp looking talons as well as other features. I think that sideways take offs makes for a different and more exciting photo than a standard take off. I know that eagles and all our raptors are lighter in weight than they appear, but I am still amazed at how thin some of the branches they land on are. Can’t wait to see the remaining photos and hear the story behind them. Thanks for sharing this one Ron.
“I know that eagles and all our raptors are lighter in weight than they appear”
Everett, that may be true but this bird likely weighs about 10 lbs (Goldens are heavier than Bald Eagles). In my mind that’s a pretty heavy load to get off the perch efficiently at this awkward angle. Good thing they have such huge wings!
WOW! 🙂 Amazing contortion of the eagle for that takeoff! Love the ripples in the feathers on the left wing and your “old hippie” analogy for the mantle in great! 😀
“your “old hippie” analogy for the mantle is great!”
Judy, I dare you to click on this link. Ear worm almost guaranteed. 🙂
I know the song well………. 🙂 Excellent link…… 😀
Old “un-hippie” (Joe age 90) watched and enjoyed it………;)
Good for Joe! I’ve said it before, I think I’d like Joe.
35 was a long time ago. But we have not changed. We still have hearts that leap when a golden eagle flies before us. We still read history, look for answers, try to understand, try to figure out what comes next, where to hide. . and pray that tomorrow and the next day the eagles will still fly. Perhaps like the Warring States period of China’s history, there is only one sane response, as articulated in the Tao Te Ching. But I doubt it.
Muchas gracias. Merci beaucoup. Thank you. My eyes are wet. Happy Valentine’s Day, you eagles.
You’re right, Martha. No bird gets my heart pumping like a Golden Eagle – not a single one. I hate to play favorites but that’s just the way it is.
You get it.
Whoa! This is spectacular and really shows the athleticism of the bird.
Maybe the aging hippie image is because there is no gold on the top of the eagle’s head, making it look bald with long gold tresses. there are a lot of opportunities to see that type of display with silver tresses in my neighborhood.
Pam, I’m not sure where it comes from but that’s probably part of it. The other part might be a customer I saw at the grocery store a few days ago.