Saturday, April 2, 2011

A moment in the life of an eagle

If there is a bird of prey that really struggles across the sea while migrating, it has to be the Short-toed Eagle. Those reaching European shores at the Rock of Gibraltar are exhausted, often panting. But it is not all over. They then have to contend with the attacks of local Yellow-legged Gulls as these images, taken this week, show...

the bird rises on updrafts as it reaches the cliffs, but is the struggle really over?


gulls also use the same updrafts...

there may be trouble ahead...


impact imminent!


soon one gull has become lots of gulls


this eagle has gained sufficient height to make a quick getaway. Others are not so lucky... 

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