Bald Eagle vs Sea Lion - Get back here with my lunch!!!

PilotBradPilotBrad Registered Users Posts: 339 Major grins
edited July 9, 2012 in Wildlife
My family and I returned earlier this week from an Alaskan cuise, and while we were in Juneau we decided to do some whale watching with one of the local tour operators. After about 30 minutes chasing a pod of Orcas, we motored over to an area where there were several Humpback whales, many Sea Lions and several Bald Eagles.

A Sea Lion caught itself a fish and was playing with it when one of the Bald Eagles circling overhead spotted it (the fish) and decided to steal it from the Sea Lion. The series of pictures below documents the event, but most importantly the Sea Lion's reaction.

I was VERY LUCKY to get these shots as I was facing the other direction photographing a Humpback Whale when I heard my wife yell, "Here comes an Eagle!". I turned as fast as I could and was able to get focus on the Eagle just moments before he hit the water. I just kept my finger on the shutter and tried to keep the Eagle in the frame as this all occurred.

The gallery containing the images can be seen here.

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The Bald Eagle swoops in for the steal. The water is disturbed fron the Sea Lion who thrashing about with his recently caught fish.


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With the fish in its talons, the Bald Eagle tries to make a getaway.


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Not willing to just give up his fish, the Sea Lion leaps out of the water in an attempt to get his lunch back from the Eagle. The boat erupted into cheers when this happened. Even the guides were amazed at what we all had seen.


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Unsuccessful, the Sea Lion splashes back into the water.


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The Bald Eagle leisurely flys away with its stolen meal.


.
Brad
My SmugMug

Comments

  • goldenstarphotogoldenstarphoto Registered Users Posts: 252 Major grins
    edited June 29, 2012
    Wow, that is an amazing set of pictures and story. Thanks for sharing!!clap.gif
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  • AceCo55AceCo55 Registered Users Posts: 950 Major grins
    edited June 29, 2012
    You could spend several lifetimes shooting wildlife and never see this let alone capture it. Absolutely awesome. Contacted NG yet?
    My opinion does not necessarily make it true. What you do with my opinion is entirely up to you.
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  • bgarlandbgarland Registered Users Posts: 761 Major grins
    edited June 29, 2012
    Wow! wings.gifWhat an amazing capture. Well done.
    Brad

    http://bgarland.smugmug.com/
  • J AllenJ Allen Registered Users Posts: 359 Major grins
    edited June 29, 2012
    Very cool!
    -Joe Allen
    My Smugmug Site
  • eweb84eweb84 Registered Users Posts: 25 Big grins
    edited June 29, 2012
    That is awesome, great captures!
    Eric M. Weber
    http://www.ericmweber.smugmug.com/
  • Dennis KaczorDennis Kaczor Registered Users Posts: 2,413 Major grins
    edited June 29, 2012
    Great series and the ones with the seal was just a fantastic capture.
    Regards - Dennis

    Dennis Kaczor Photography
  • PilotBradPilotBrad Registered Users Posts: 339 Major grins
    edited June 29, 2012
    Thank you all for your kind words! I feel truly blessed to have captured such and event and happy that my camera shoots 8fps. mwink.gif
    AceCo55 wrote: »
    You could spend several lifetimes shooting wildlife and never see this let alone capture it. Absolutely awesome. Contacted NG yet?

    It's funny you should say that. Later that day we were sitting on the deck of our ship (enjoying and adult beverage in the 80-degree Alaska weather), and I jokingly commented that I should just sell my camera gear as I will probably never have an opportunity to capture something similar. :D

    With regards to NG... I am working on it now.
    Brad
    My SmugMug
  • ashruggedashrugged Registered Users Posts: 345 Major grins
    edited June 29, 2012
    Fantastic, that's what keeps us looking.
    Robert

    http://rckimaging.smugmug.com/
  • Dick on ArubaDick on Aruba Registered Users Posts: 3,484 Major grins
    edited June 29, 2012
    Somebody said "WOW!" already? thumb.gifthumb.gifthumb.gif
    "Nothing sharpens sight like envy."
    Thomas Fuller.

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  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited June 29, 2012
    Amazing sequence
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • FlyNavyFlyNavy Registered Users Posts: 1,350 Major grins
    edited June 29, 2012
    Amazing work! This series has some serious $$$$$$ potential.

    BTW, I love your story about your aviation career!!!! Way to follow your dreams.
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  • IcebearIcebear Registered Users Posts: 4,015 Major grins
    edited June 29, 2012
    bowdown.gifbowbowdown.gif

    Register yer copyright yet?????
    John :
    Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
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  • PilotBradPilotBrad Registered Users Posts: 339 Major grins
    edited June 30, 2012
    Thank you everyone!
    FlyNavy wrote: »
    BTW, I love your story about your aviation career!!!! Way to follow your dreams.
    Unfortunately I had to put my dreams on hold for a bit... I sold the project about a year ago. Oh well, I'll do it again some day.
    Icebear wrote: »
    Register yer copyright yet?????
    Yup, last night. :D
    Brad
    My SmugMug
  • SteveFSteveF Registered Users Posts: 466 Major grins
    edited June 30, 2012
    That third image is just killer.

    Great story.
    Steve
    www.finesart.com
  • NorthernFocusNorthernFocus Registered Users Posts: 1,347 Major grins
    edited June 30, 2012
    PilotBrad wrote: »
    ...A Sea Lion caught itself a fish and was playing with it when one of the Bald Eagles circling overhead spotted it...
    Moral of the story, don't play with your food :D

    Very cool series of shots and must have been a blast to watch. Those darn critters never cease to amaze.
    Dan

    My Photo Gallery:Northern Focus Photography
    I wish I was half the man that my dog thinks I am...
  • RebelSolRebelSol Registered Users Posts: 43 Big grins
    edited July 1, 2012
    Amazing. We are cruising Alaska in Sept. I'm even more excited now!
  • PilotBradPilotBrad Registered Users Posts: 339 Major grins
    edited July 1, 2012
    RebelSol wrote: »
    Amazing. We are cruising Alaska in Sept. I'm even more excited now!
    Thanks! Best trip we've ever taken, however the fact that we had 70-80 degree weather for the entire trip surely didn't hurt. We're already planning our next trip to AK. If you are going to Juneau and looking for something to do, I'd recommend Gastineau Guiding... they even offer photo expeditions.
    Brad
    My SmugMug
  • WillCADWillCAD Registered Users Posts: 722 Major grins
    edited July 1, 2012
    Holy Poly Oly! Those would be amazing captures of just the eagle grabbing a fish, but add in the seal... wow.
    What I said when I saw the Grand Canyon for the first time: "The wide ain't wide enough and the zoom don't zoom enough!"
  • coldclimbcoldclimb Registered Users Posts: 1,169 Major grins
    edited July 2, 2012
    This is awesome!
    John Borland
    www.morffed.com
  • BilsenBilsen Registered Users Posts: 2,143 Major grins
    edited July 9, 2012
    Stunning, awesome, lucky, skillfull.

    All of the above.
    Bilsen (the artist formerly known as John Galt NY)
    Canon 600D; Canon 1D Mk2;
    24-105 f4L IS; 70-200 f4L IS; 50mm 1.4; 28-75 f2.8; 55-250 IS; 580EX & (2) 430EX Flash,
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