Nature Photographers Network
This is the preserved archive of the original Nature Photographers Network. The community continues at naturephotographers.network.
Where there is a will!
‹ PreviousWeekly Challenge GalleryNext ›

Where there is a will!

by John Tobias

Gallery: Weekly ChallengePosted January 7, 2012255 views6 comments
I think my favorite photo from 2011 from an animal behavior theme is this shot of the flightless eagles at the Miller Park Zoo attempting to mate. It appears they were sucessful as one of the eggs laid seemed to be fertile. (the eggs were destroyed as the zoo has a permit for exhibit only, not breeding).

Canon XSi
1/320 @ F6.3 ISO400
Tamron 18-200 @ 200mm.
HH

Comments

6 comments
Comment posted by Derek Yow on January 7, 2012 at 4:11 PM
Really cool shot John! I've followed these eagle's attempts in the local papers for the last few years. It's sad the viable egg had to be destroyed though, a pity in my opinion.

There was a nesting pair which produced two eagles in a cove at Clinton Lake this past year. I saw them by boat with binoculars, but no camera. Was really neat seeing the juvenilles standing on the edge of the nest learning how their wings worked.
Registered on May 18, 2010, 26 Posts, 655 Comments
Comment posted by Debbie Yarra on January 8, 2012 at 1:09 AM
Cool shot John...great action! At first I thought they were fighting and both losing the battle....do eagles usually mate that way...seems rather awkward and dangerous ( the one eagles talon is almost poking the others eye out). What a shame they had to destroy the viable egg. Makes me sad for the eagles after all their efforts. Great post! :smile:
Registered on January 1, 2012, 5 Posts, 91 Comments
Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on January 8, 2012 at 10:51 PM
Wow! This has to be one of the most unique captures I've seen of Bald Eagles John, I can easily understand why you like it so much. Wishing you a great year ahead :^)
Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments
Comment posted by Larry Fischer on January 9, 2012 at 10:12 AM
I notice how close the one claw is to the eye. Wow.
Very nice "action" nature photo.
the fisch
Registered on July 28, 2008, 155 Posts, 874 Comments
Comment posted by Varina Patel on January 10, 2012 at 9:46 AM
Wow - what an unusual photo! Great shot, John! I can see why it's one of your favorites! Thanks for the interesting story, too.
Registered on August 22, 2008, 45 Posts, 1578 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Deibert on February 6, 2012 at 10:49 PM
Wow, a really great, candid shot! The debris around the eagles is a little distracting, but does keep the picture real. :toast:
Registered on September 30, 2011, 48 Posts, 125 Comments