As you all know by now, there was a natural rarity not so long ago in Southern California. From late October to mid November, a single first-year Bald Eagle was present at El Dorado Park in Long Beach (southeast of Los Angeles). This in itself was already an uncommon sight, but it brought hundreds of photographers and bird-watchers to this city park - something I\'ve never seen before. The following series depicts a typical day of the Osprey during that period at El Dorado.
All photos taken with Nikon D300/300mm f4 with a 1.7TC combo. (I love this poorman\'s 500). I\'d like to hear your comments and opinions. This was a memory that I\'ll won\'t soon forget.
Andy
#1. Osprey acquiring target.
#2. The view from below.
#3. Initiating a dive.
#4. Eagle watching and waiting
#5. The secondary flight feathers acting like ailerons on aircraft, helping the Osprey make last second course adjustments.
#6. One of the dozens of photographers on hand catching some Osprey action.
#7. The moment before impact!
#8. The Osprey probably possess the best fishing skill of all raptors.
#9. Victory Lap (so he thinks!)
#10. The Eagle take-off on cue.
#11. I\'ve read about Bald Eagles being fish pirates, a fact so evident here.
#12. Coming straight at ya! Eagle eyes fixed on the target: Osprey and the trout.
#13. Poor Osprey already exhausted from flapping flights, high-impact dives, carrying big fish, now having to fend off a much larger Bald Eagle.
#14. The Eagle\'s intense pressure is pushing the Osprey to the edge of dropping a fresh kill.
#15. Another catch from head-on angle.
#16. Just when the Osprey thought the Eagle was long gone, another competitor (White Pelican) appeared out of no where. At least he was able to hold on to the fish.
Thank you for looking. More bird images can be seen on our website here.
Dec 21, 2008 at 01:03 AM
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