Golden Eagle

Posted by Laurie (New Jersey, United States) on 29 July 2007 in Animal & Insect and Portfolio.

This is another Raptor from the Raptor Project show at the fair. This is a Golden Eagle that had actually been rescued after it had been found lying near death from having been electrocuted on power lines days prior. It was badly burned and is blind in one eye. It's a most impressive bird. Golden Eagles have talons that grow larger than a bears claws and they are so powerful that they exert a staggering 2000 yes 2000 LBS of crushing PSI.

Please visit my other photoblog Capturethisphotography.com

See my new SLIDESHOW page.

Your comments are very much appreciated. I know how much time and effort it takes to visit and leave comments and although I don't always get to reply to them, please know that I do really appreciate them.

I make every effort to reply to questions but sometimes I miss one or two and I apologize for that. If you really need me to get an answer to you quickly, the best way is to use the CONTACT button at the bottom of the page.

I post the same photos here as on Capturethisphotography.com but the images there are higher res. and recent landscape orientation shots are larger size.

Photoblogs.org

2009 Photoblog awards

vfxy Photoblogs Cool Photoblogs

Comments (27)

adalove from Alcala de Guadaira, Seville, Spain

Magnificent creature. Very sharp and nice image.

29 Jul 2007 12:01pm

@adalove: Thanks.

Julio Pulido from Barcelona - Sant Boi, Spain

Tiene que subir la adrenalina tener un animal tan impresionante tan cerca de la cara.
Que buen rendimiento te da esta cámara a 800 ISO y sin nada de ruido.

29 Jul 2007 7:28pm

@Julio Pulido: Thanks. This camera is pretty good at high ISO under most of the conditions I shoot even at ISO 3200 I can get a decent usable shot.

jasp from United Kingdom

I wouldn't like to be that close.

29 Jul 2007 8:42pm

@jasp: Thanks. I know what you mean. He was a huge bird and his talons and beak were scary, but he was calm and gentle.

April from santa cruz, United States

I love that the ranger and the bird have almost the same expression on their faces!

30 Jul 2007 1:21am

@April: Thanks...I noticed that too. The ranger was pretty amusing as well.

Rahul from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Lovely candid here Laurie, very crisp and sharp. Very well done.

30 Jul 2007 5:42am

@Rahul: Thanks. I came to the show late and had to shoot over the heads of the spectators, I was pretty happy how this one came out. I did have to crop the tops of some heads from the bottom of the photo.

Stunner from Kingston, Jamaica

Nice candid shot!

30 Jul 2007 6:15am

@Stunner: Thanks.

ColNed Pictures from Amersfoort, Netherlands

Very nice shot, great work.

30 Jul 2007 6:57am

@ColNed Pictures: Thanks.

Craiger from Vacaville, California, United States

I love these birds! Great shot!

30 Jul 2007 7:47am

@Craiger: Me too...Thanks.

badala from Leiria, Portugal

Glorious. Some images just instantly make me smile and this is one of them.
:)

30 Jul 2007 9:16am

@badala: Thanks. I'm glad to have given you something to smile about.

Jen from Alpharetta, United States

Incredible bird and incredible shot!

30 Jul 2007 1:21pm

@Jen: Thanks.

Dawn Sutherland from Phoenix, United States

What a majestic animal, and 2000 lbs of crushing psi that is incredible!!!

30 Jul 2007 2:58pm

@Dawn Sutherland: Thanks...I kept thinking about the guys arm. I'm glad the Eagle didn't decide to demonstrate it's strength.

Viewfinder from Bradenton, United States

How wonderful that this bird was rescued and is recovering.

Humanity, when not encumbered by so much PC-ness that nothing constructive can be done, still manages occasionally to perform wonderful acts of compassion on behalf of nature. Such as preserving the life of this one eagle.

Thank you for posting this important and beautiful image today!

30 Jul 2007 3:59pm

@Viewfinder: Thanks...It is wonderful.

HorseRotorVator from Newton, United States

I bet that bird has some big wing span! Cool shot! :)

30 Jul 2007 10:52pm

@HorseRotorVator: Thanks. Yes he did but I didn't get a great shot of it with the people who were in front of me. I had to shoot over heads.

kairospix from Singapore, Singapore

wonderful capture - love how both the stare of their eyes seem to mirror each other... :)

31 Jul 2007 3:45am

@kairospix: Yes they do. Thanks.

Rebecca from Leicester, United Kingdom

really skilfully taken and excellent narrative. thanks for sharing!

31 Jul 2007 12:28pm

@Rebecca: Thanks. I was very happy to share this.

Tuttle from Jerusalem, Israel

Very cool and I like that the handler has a Nikon patch on his uniform

31 Jul 2007 5:41pm

@Tuttle: Thanks. I noticed that right away too. Nikon was plastered all over the tent. I think they are the sponsor. :)

photowannabe from rocklin, CA, United States

Nice photojournalistic shot. The eagle looks like he is adoringly looking at the trainer. I know its because of his blind eye but it makes a good shot.

31 Jul 2007 5:48pm

@photowannabe: Thanks. Yes the poor guy lost his sight from the accident. Luckily I got his best side.

Still from France

The bid seems very interested by the speach!

31 Jul 2007 7:14pm

@Still: Thanks. He was very comfortable with his handler. He seemed genuinely fond of him.

amy from Rocky Mountain House, Canada

Really love the crook to his head.. very curious bird, eh?!! We don't get too many goldens coming through here. But I have been very fortunate a couple times to see them.

31 Jul 2007 7:24pm

@amy: Thanks. I don't think I've ever seen one in the wild. They are gorgeous and powerful.

Shahab from Qazvin, Iran

Wow!What a shot!Awesome timing!Very well done!

31 Jul 2007 11:56pm

@Shahab: Thanks.

MontereyJohn from Salinas,CA, United States

That bird has a 'tude"! :) (And you caught it just fine.)

1 Aug 2007 5:04am

@MontereyJohn: Thanks.

ColNed Pictures from Amersfoort, Netherlands

What a bird.... great shot !

1 Aug 2007 7:00am

@ColNed Pictures: Thanks.

Celialee from Kyoto, Japan

Amazing bird! It is so beautiful!

1 Aug 2007 7:44pm

@Celialee: Thanks.

John from United States

What a great shot. I love the Golden Eagle, and have long thought that this mighty, strong, and tenacious bird should have been our national symbol instead of the Bald Eagle.

1 Aug 2007 10:46pm

@John: Thanks. After seeing one up close, I have to say I agree.