It was a crazy day today and I had total birding AD&D. Blame it on the Bald Eagles again.
It started this morning on the river when I was heading out for an appointment when I see two eagles drop down to the iced over river to attack a fish a gull had found. I didn’t have time, and one of the eagles caught sight of me far off in the distance and grabbed the fish and flew off to a tree. So off I went to my regular day, all excited about eagles.
Fantasy’s began dancing in my head of having a dead deer left in the middle of a field and eagles enjoying a feast. I even chatted with a hunter friend about my vision on my way to the barn. It was just a fantasy after all.
And it is as if the good Lord heard me and darned if there wasn’t a buck laying on the snow at the sod farm next to the horse farm. I don’t know what happened to the deer, but I knew it wouldn’t be long before an eagle found it. The barn happens to be within striking distance of the Route 450 / South River eagles, and I happened to see one just down the street on Friday.
Got to the barn. Having Eagle Frenzy..I had to jump in the car and return to the deer in the field. And my lucky stars! An Eagle was there!
But the story continues. After a few shots, he got shy and flew off. I knew it would take a while for him to return, so I left to run a few errands. Came back, and the Eagle is one again on the deer. Took another few shots. Off he went. Darned shutter sounds. So I left once again for another errand.
By the time I had returned, a landscaping crew had their sights on the deer and two guys had surrounded the deer. It was fresh and they were plotting ways to take it home for the meat. I pleaded with them to please leave the deer and showed them a picture of the eagle. They didn’t care.
I left, but called their boss and tattle-taled on them. I don’t know what will happen with the deer and if it will be left there for the morning. Either way, the men had moved the deer around and completely changed its position.
It’s all about being at the right place at the right time, and having your equipment ready. By sheer chance I happened to have put into my car today all of my camera equipment. Wow..what a day!
Emily Carter ~ Nature as Art 
The crews I work with won’t pass up fresh road kill for anything!
Yes, Ilex I couldn’t blame them either. If I could eat Venison, I’d be all over it too.
I can feel your excitement. What a fantastic day.
I was like a little kid at Christmas. It was such a blast. Thank you.
oh wow ask and you shall receive huh! dang! 🙂
How amazing is that?? I’ve learned that you have to be careful what you wish for. Self-fulfilling prophecy is REAL !!
How amazing!! Such fantastic images 😀
Thank you so much Sarah. It truly was incredible.
We have a program on the BBC called Springwatch, which has expanded to include Autumn and Winter now too. This year they filmed a lot in the Cairngorms in Scotland and got some fantastic footage of Golden Eagles and foxes at a carcass site. They said they would be putting it online so I can thoroughly recommend that you look it up 😀
Incredible images. Right place, right time. Lucky you.
Sometimes I wonder if I’m truly worthy such special moments. But I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Thank you so much Miriam.
My absolute pleasure. Keep enjoying and taking those images.
Oh deer! What a day… You got what you asked for 🙂
LOL ! Love that Tiny. yes..Oh Deer!
sjw Says: Why not just allow the men to take the deer? Why should it go to waste if people need food.
I agree that deer meat would be beneficial for those in need. In this case, the boys were plenty robust. It was a ‘want’ vs. a need. There are rules and regulations governing the harvesting of deer in Maryland. At minimum, they would have to get the deer tagged and have DNR come and identify the reason why the deer had died.
So sorry for the deer! But that’s Nature, I suppose. Congratulations on getting those shots.
Indeed it is, the cycle of life unfolding in front of our eyes. Fatima. Thank you so much.
How exciting indeed, that last shot is simply incredible – well done you to have your stars align! 😉
I still can’t believe I got that shot Joanne. I can retire now right?
DON’T YOU DARE – I’m living vicariously through you until I find and unpack my mojo, lol!😆
What an amazing opportunity! Great shots
Once in a lifetime for certain Cal. Thank you so much.
Awesome captures and excitement! This time of year it is not unusual to go up Rt 301 to Delaware and see a downed deer alongside the road and an Eagle eating. Usually there are quite a few vultures 10-15 ft away from the Eagle, hoping and waiting for Mr. Eagle to finish so they can finish the clean-up. 🙂
I believe I saw one on 301 earlier this month but it was nearly dusk. But the eagle was certainly there chasing off the vultures. LOL ! You know it well Donna.
Thank you for sharing this with your readers and a great post!