The Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) was either really brave or really foolish chasing a Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) across the sky early yesterday morning at Huntley Meadows Park in Alexandria, Virginia.
I did manage to get a few other shots (below) in which the eagle’s wings are in more photogenic positions, but the blackbird is farther away from the eagle in each of them.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
I love that first shot, Mike! I’ve seen them (and other birds) harassing eagles, hawks, and even crows & ravens, but this is the best shot I’ve yet seen of such an encounter. I’m sure it’s bravery, rather than foolishness, as I’ve never heard of one being turned upon by the predator. Beautifully caught!
Thanks, Gary. I’ve seen this happen with a group of smaller birds, but this Red-winged Blackbird seemed to be on his own. I was actually focusing on a Great Blue Heron, which I though might take off, when I happened to see the eagle flying across the sky. I was already in burst mode and in servo mode and took a series of shots. The shots were underexposed, but I was able to lighten them up in post-processing. I was pretty lucky to catch the action in the first shot.
[…] Source: Chasing a Bald Eagle […]
What a fascinating sight.
Nice shots! I just saw a similar scene the other day.
Red winged blackbirds have no fear, and they’ll chase you, too. I’ve found that out the hard way a couple of times.
Great encounter. You wonder what drives them to such behaviour.
I think it might be an issue of territoriality sometimes. I know that the Red-winged Blackbirds would buzz me when I got too close to a nest with their eggs (although I must admit I am not as fearsome looking as a Bald Eagle, even though I am bald too).
great captures, Michael! I’ve seen this behaviour from the Red-Winged Blackbirds and even hummingbirds in Vancouver, too … they must have nests or eggs to protect! 🙂
Yikes! What an amazing set of captures!
Thanks. A lot of luck and some pretty quick reactions. I was happy to get any kind of recognizable shots. I was focusing my attention on a Great Blue Heron in the water and just happened to detect some motion in the sky out of the corner of my eye.
Love moments like that!
mike, great photos, the top one though is just amazing, keep up the great work, rob
Thanks, Rob.