Eagle almost takes my head off

[Eric D]

Stopped by the nest the other day for a few shots. I was in between the nest and the other tree they like to perch in. Pop's jumped out of the nest, came right toward me and landed in the tree next to me. What a rush!!!


Proud Parents!!! Male is missing a Talon (pic #2)
1




2



3



4 all I could get in the frame as he flew over me..........

[CaraRose]

I'm not sure how to word this, since I can't use the word "spectacular" since all your shots are already spectacular... but that second shot.. wow.

[SARtech]

Nice Eric!
I'm guessing the only way to tell mom from pop is by size, right? I have heard the females are larger than the males and also something about the difference in the length of the hallux talon, on the rear toe. (?)

[Frog]

Yes, these are great pictures, Eric.

HOWEVER, what you are doing is HARASSing these birds. Any time you disturb nesting eagles, it is harassment.
Please desist!

[cozmocha]

Nice Eric!
I'm guessing the only way to tell mom from pop is by size, right? I have heard the females are larger than the males and also something about the difference in the length of the hallux talon, on the rear toe. (?)

The male is missing a talon on the left foot. You can see it in #2.

[Eric D]

Yes, these are great pictures, Eric.

HOWEVER, what you are doing is HARASSing these birds. Any time you disturb nesting eagles, it is harassment.
Please desist!

I never harasse the Eagles. I keep my distance as required. They are used to people since the nest in a public cemetery (five years now) !! I personally take a little offense to the comment,,,I respect wildlife more than most and never harrase. Maybe my thread title was a little misleading.

Cheers......

[SARtech]

Frog.... I know it looks like he is close to this nest (and others), but he is using a HUGE lens. 500mm or more. I'm sure in this case the bird was just curious.

I had a juvi fly across across a large river and circle above my head 3 times just to check me out and then return to where he came from. To me eagles seem more curious than other large raptors.

[Frog]

I don't know how far you were from the eagle nest. When you say you are between the nest and their other perch tree and they are disturbed enough to launch out ot the nest and to buzz you, it sounds harassing.
I don't mean to offend, but if you are a wildlife lover, you will understand that I had to question it.

[cozmocha]

I don't know how far you were from the eagle nest. When you say you are between the nest and their other perch tree and they are disturbed enough to launch out ot the nest and to buzz you, it sounds harassing.
I don't mean to offend, but if you are a wildlife lover, you will understand that I had to question it.

I think if you see how the nest is placed you will understand. It's in a very open location. I have parked my car between these trees! The ospreys sure piss off the eagles more than humans do.

[Eric D]

I don't know how far you were from the eagle nest. When you say you are between the nest and their other perch tree and they are disturbed enough to launch out ot the nest and to buzz you, it sounds harassing.
I don't mean to offend, but if you are a wildlife lover, you will understand that I had to question it.

Don't want to take this conversation much more, but i had to let you Know that protecting and respecting wildlife always comes first. The reason the Eagles launch out of tree's is because this is how the take flight to hunt, not attack people. Nobody is harassing these Eagles and all that know of this location respect it as well.
Before passing judgement you should see the environment first hand.

Now let's all go take some photo's!!!!:thumbsup:

[Frog]

Don't want to take this conversation much more, but i had to let you Know that protecting and respecting wildlife always comes first. The reason the Eagles launch out of tree's is because this is how the take flight to hunt, not attack people. Nobody is harassing these Eagles and all that know of this location respect it as well.
Before passing judgement you should see the environment first hand.

Now let's all go take some photo's!!!!:thumbsup:

I am sorry and my reply was not worded very well. Using the word "harass" always has negative connotations and and I should have worded my comment to ask if you were being sure that the eagles were not bothered in their nesting and rearing activities.
I believe that you are not doing so and it is only my reverence for life and nature that brought me to question in the first place.

[paulnj]

Great images as always Eric.

Many of my friends are wildlife biologists in FL and I assure you eagles in FL are nearly impossible to harrass. This is due in part to them being very used to humans, nesting in public areas, landing and perching 50 feet from humans quite often and so on.

Had you been in NJ, you would be too close because the laws state 1000 ft from a nest and they are roped off in public areas.