1\/1000, f\/11, ISO 500, Canon 40D, Canon EF 500mm f\/4L IS USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in<\/em><\/p>\nThe adult eagle on the right was feeding on some carp leftovers at Farmington Bay WMA when the immature bird approached very slowly in the shallow water with the intention of stealing a few fish tidbits. The younger bird was obviously nervous about what “he” was trying to do. When he got close to the adult all of his movements were in extreme slow motion as his head came dangerously close to the feeding adult. His wings are raised just in case he has to attempt an emergency escape or fight for his life.<\/p>\n
In my experience with eagles this is a recipe for a vicious fight. Almost guaranteed. Eleven years later I actually remember switching my aperture to f\/11 in the hopes I’d have enough depth of field to get most of both birds sharp when the inevitable brouhaha erupted. I knew at the time I was too close to keep two fighting eagles in the frame without cutting off body parts (this photo is actually full frame – not cropped).<\/p>\n
But blow me away, no fight broke out.<\/p>\n
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1\/1250, f\/11, ISO 500, Canon 40D, Canon EF 500mm f\/4L IS USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in<\/em><\/p>\nApparently the adult was in a magnanimous mood because he allowed the immature eagle to abscond with a chunk of his fish. His only reaction was this look of apparent surprise and disbelief that the younger bird would have the cojones to even attempt such a brazen maneuver. I think the look on the adult’s face is to die for.<\/p>\n
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Apologies once again for posting so many older photos lately. The overcast weather pattern we’re in has been relentless for most of the winter so light for bird photography has been at a premium.<\/p>\n
We have hopes for some clearing this weekend so maybe I’ll be able to get out into the field again in a day or two.<\/p>\n
Ron<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Notes:<\/em><\/p>\n\n- Readers may want to read the comment from Pierce Fleming below for a possible explanation for this behavior.<\/em><\/li>\n
- Good friend Jim DeWitt made the following comment on Facebook about this post and this behavior. It supports what Pierce said. Jim and his wife Nancy lived in Alaska for many years.\u00a0<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
“Many years ago, Nancy and I were lucky enough to win bear viewing permits for McNeil River. We watched as many as 44 big, big bears catch and eat the chum salmon that swim up the McNeil to spawn. The variety of feeding and fishing behavior were amazing.<\/em><\/p>\nBut there was one bear who never caught a fish; never fished, in fact. Instead, he approached successful bears who were eating their fish displaying juvenile food-begging behaviors. The “hungry child” approach was amazingly successful. More than half of the time, he got fish. I wonder if you’ve just documented something similar in bald eagles?”<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
This adult Bald Eagle showed unusual tolerance toward a brazen and seemingly clueless immature companion.<\/p>\n
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