A Rally on Raptors

Eagles and hawks were the highlights for last few days.



Driving past this fenced off cornfield, I occasionally see wildlife within it's boundaries. Yesterday served up this eagle feeding on carrion. It was a thrill to be quite close to the raptor. Here is a cropped shot.



This photo is posted full size, for perspective. I'd have to guess about 100 feet away, using the Canon 100-400mm lens.




I had taken this photo over the weekend at a cooling lake that was used to serve our local power generating station that has since closed its doors. The lake is iced over, but is a magnet for eagles in the winter months. I spotted this guy, but didn't spot the 6 others in the background until reviewing the images later. Doh! I might have stayed out there alittle longer, if I had known they were out there.



I found this cooper perched over a small stream. He sat there the whole time without flushing. I love when I can leave without disturbing his post.




This giant red tail flew across the road just a few feet from my windshield and landed in this tree. He too, stayed put.



This dark morph red tail finished off the carrion that the eagle left behind.



Lastly, this turkey vulture was trying to mooch off the hawk for a taste of his prize.