Usually my Wedge-tailed Eagle images make the bird look ungainly; more manky than magnificent. I was pleased to finally capture a portrait that does the eagle more justice.
Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax)
Canon 5DIII, Canon 100-400mm L IS USM II, 1/1250, f/7.1, ISO 800, focal length 400mm
Wedge-tailed Eagles are Australia’s largest raptor with a wingspan up to about 2.5 metres – imagine that flying towards you! They hunt small mammals and are often seen scavenging on roadkill where their inability to take off quickly can cause them to become the next casualty. If it’s safe to do so, it’s good to move roadkill away from the road to avoid these secondary collisions. It’s also good to check marsupials’ pouches (most commonly kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, wombats and possums) for living joeys which can survive for a day or more after the loss of the mother. Gently scoop inside the pouch and if a joey is present wrap it in a towel and put it a ventilated box, or into a pillowcase (I keep pillowcases and boxes in my vehicle). Keep the joey warm and quiet, and contact a wildlife shelter or vet immediately. Do not offer food or water unless a licensed wildlife shelter operator or vet has given advice. Joeys can be successfully raised from the ‘jelly bean’ stage. On the links page I list sites for Victorian and NSW rescue organisations, if you can recommend similar organisations in other states and territories please let me know.
I digressed; back to eagles. The scientific name of the Wedge-tailed Eagle means ‘bold eagle’ which is appropriate as, despite most of their food being rabbits or carrion, they can work together in groups to hunt large prey such as kangaroo. They weigh a massive 4kg and can carry up to half their body weight. They are remarkable birds.
Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax)
Canon 5DIII, Canon 100-400mm L IS USM II, 1/1000, f/6.3, ISO 400, focal length 400mm
The eagle in the image above hopped through the branches of this tree from one side to the other, it was like threading a needle. I watched it for a long time waiting for it to take off and fly towards me. Finally the moment came and I pressed the shutter button. Instead of the series of images I’d visualised my second shot looks like the one above except the eagle’s head is hidden by its wings, and the following shots show its tail feathers as it flies away. I had to smile.
This week’s images were taken at Healesville Sanctuary, Gosch’s Paddock in Melbourne on a Cannon Collective day, and at Gluepot Reserve in South Australia.
While I’ve been writing this week’s post the youngest of my Golden Retrievers has been sitting at my feet. She has a chew toy with her but prefers to gnaw the desk, unfortunately the sounds and vibrations of both ‘chew toys’ are remarkably similar and while I’ve been concentrating she’s been remodelling the furniture. On the positive side my desk now matches the rocking chair and the piano legs.
Happy birding, Kim
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