Eagle ride

[DaveM]

Saturday morning,
I did a nice little ride met up with Steventhechef and his good wife, I had my wife with me and my best mate had his partner with him also on his modified Fazer 600.

It was a very pleasant ride and you are by now wondering what the title of this thread is about.

As we were riding along, I was leading and we came upon a huge Australian Wedge Tailed Eagle it was just standing on the other side of the road on this narrow back country road shredding a bunny. It stood easily 2'6" maybe more, it was huge! As I got closer it stopped shredding bugs bunny and as if in slow motion spread it's enormous wings and flew off.


I kept thinking after, that is one birdstrike that would severely maim or kill you.

If you are interested in this giant bird of prey looky here;

http://www.australianfauna.com/wedgetailedeagle.php

Over to you Mr Chef.

cheers,
DaveM

[Grae_ST]

You mean one of these Dave?

Awesome birds, had a similar experience a few weeks ago riding up to through Eskdale with a couple of mates... the bird was sitting on the edge of the road eating a fox...

Cheers, G

[DaveM]

That is the one Grae

They are one of the largest Eagles in the world, wingspan 2.5 metres.

I was amazed at how tall he stood and how long the wedge tail was and how big that thing looks when it takes off and those talons.........BIG!

I got about 4-6 metres away, very close.

DaveM

[HiRoller]

Large birds of prey are quite awesome in the wild. I had a unique
experience, One early morning I was visiting a scrap yard looking for some spare parts for my Jeep when I saw a large shadow past me by on the ground with a swoosh sound . I look up and a very large American Eagle was perched on an old car just 50 feet from me.
He sat there a minute, looked around and took off. Must have spotted something to eat, i'm glad it wasn't me cause it's tallons looked to be as big as my hands. I thought the rest of the day "That was incredible" I live in the heart of the city, very populated and industrial. It is not common to see one anywhere around my home or much in the State for that matter. I have heard they are making a come back in population. The DNR tracks them as mated pairs or something.

[Roden]

Eagles are just amazing.

About 15 years ago I was visiting my parents at their property near Bathurst (central west of NSW). I spotted an eagle overhead probably at about 100 ft. Dad said "just watch him".

The eagle circled and circled searching for an updraft which he found. We then watched as he slowly circled and gained altitude, not once beating his wings, until he disappeared out of sight.

I am sure they fly for the sheer pleasure.

Cheers,

Roden

[triumphrat]

One day on my way to work I stopped by the beach Climbed atop a big rock and lay back flapto enjoy the sound of the ocean. After laying there for some minutes with my eyes closed I heard the flapping and flutter of feathers, thinking it a sea gull I continued to lay with my eyes closed. I eventually looked and at my feet a huge Red tail hawk was checking me out. He hung around for a little longer then moved on down the road.

[steventhechef]

Yes, Dave that eagle was huge and the bunny in it's talons was minced pretty badly (no chances of resuscitation I am sure).

It was a great ride through Lake Somerset ! Thanks Dave

We get quite a few around this side of the moontains and the always pose a magnificent sight when soaring about in the thermals.

Here is a pic of two turkeys after the eagle!!

[Roden]

I'm disappointed Steve, you look nothing like your avatar.....

Cheers,

Roden

[Calliway]

I used to travel through Northern British Columbia all the time and they have huge salmon runs through the Skeena River. I was in between Terrace and Prince Rupert and had to pull over to answer the call of nature. I drove up a logging road a touch and came to a clearing. I went to the edge of the bush and relieved myself.

On the way back to the car I had this eerie feeling of being watched. I looked up from the car and I was completely surrounded by bald eagles. There must have been about 60 to 100 of them in the trees, on the banks, on the gravel around my car. Quite incredible to be in the middle of such beautiful creatures.

[DaveM]

Originally Posted by Roden

I'm disappointed Steve, you look nothing like your avatar.....

Cheers,

Roden

Yes he does he just has "helmut hair" and hasn't trimmed his moustache lately.

I would like all to note that although I am 5'10" and Steve towers over me anyway, I was standing on a downward slope!!!!

Anyway I am wider than Steven, in the shoulders and the waste!

DaveM