ML614340070

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Dramatic interaction between BAEA and COME. In initial scan of lake I noticed a bird that, unaided by magnification, appeared to be some sort of goose hybrid. In fact, it was a BAEA lying prostrate on the water with wings flattened on the surface like pontoons. After a few seconds remaining relatively motionless, the eagle began to propel itself forward and lift off from the water. Clutched in its talons was a male COME. It was able to lift the bird almost completely out of the water before falling back to the surface with the merganser still underneath. After several more attempts to take off, the eagle lost its grip and made repeated tries to recapture the merganser. The COME was able to successfully dive and evade until the eagle departed to the shoreline and the merganser swam away toward its flock. Photos show attempts of eagle to recapture merganser.

Technical information

Model

Canon PowerShot SX70 HS

Lens

3.8-247mm

ISO

100

Focal length

247 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/6.5

Shutter speed

1/500 sec

Dimensions

2150 pixels x 2300 pixels

Original file size

1.42 MB