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Golden Eagle


Golden Eagle
Photo Information
Copyright: Huseyin Gursu (Avare) Silver Note Writer [C: 8 W: 4 N: 75] (514)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D70, Sigma 80-400 OS
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Birds of Prey- RAPTORS [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-02-21 11:18
Viewed: 2744
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Distribution
At one time the Golden Eagle lived in temperate Europe, North Asia, North America, North Africa and Japan. In most areas this bird is now a mountain-dweller, but in former centuries it also bred in the plains and the forests.

There was a great decline in Central Europe, and the Golden Eagle is now restricted to the Alps. In Britain, there are about 500 birds left in the Scottish highlands. In North America the situation is not as dramatic, but there has been a noticeable decline as well.

In Central Asia, Golden Eagles sometimes are trained for falconry, and in Kazakhstan there are still hunters using these eagles in order to catch deer and antelopes.

Efforts are being made to re-introduce the species in Ireland, where they had been extinct since the early 20th Century. 35 birds have been released into the wild since 2001.


Reproduction
A pair of Golden Eagles remains together for life. They build several eyries within their territory and use them alternately for several years. The nest consists of heavy tree branches, upholstered with grass.

Old eyries may be 2 metres in diameter and 1 metre in height, as the eagles enlarge their nests every year. If the eyrie is situated on a tree, supporting tree branches may break because of the weight of the nest.

The female lays two eggs between January and May (depending on the area). After 45 days the young hatch. They are entirely white and are fed for fifty days before they are able to make their first flight attempts and eat on their own. In most cases only the older chick, which takes most of the food, survives, while the younger one dies before leaving the eyrie.


Physical Characteristics
Adult Golden Eagles have an average length of 75-85 cm (30-34"), a wingspan of 175-200 cm (70-80"), and a weight of 3 to 5 kg. As in all birds of prey, the females are generally slightly larger than the males.


Food
Golden Eagles often have a division of labour while hunting: one partner drives the prey to its waiting partner. Their prey includes marmots, hares and mice, and sometimes birds, martens, foxes and young deer. Large mammals like chamois or adult deer can only be taken if they are wounded or sick. In the US, Golden Eagles often take lambs as prey, providing a significant source of mortality and earning the enmity of sheep ranchers.

Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_eagle
ALIRIZA, coasties has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Huseyin,
First of all I wanna congratulate you for the nice Golden Eagle photo. Good colors, POV, framing and detail you have caught. Congratulations...
ALIRIZA

  • Great 
  • deons Silver Star Critiquer [C: 31 W: 0 N: 7] (130)
  • [2006-02-21 13:05]

Hi Huseyin
You timed this one just right. Excellent action photo of the Golden Eagle. What a beautiful Bird.
Deon

  • Great 
  • mrcrow Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 428 W: 116 N: 193] (3002)
  • [2006-02-21 13:39]

thats what i call bird of prey...in action
all feathers claws and eye present and correct ...sir!
any more data on speed and aperture etc..its good to know...

  • Great 
  • wuta Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 856 W: 2 N: 617] (2142)
  • [2006-02-21 14:47]

Hay Huseyin , a beautifull picture from youre eagle ,details action ,very nice ,good job
greeting Teunie .

Hi Huseyin

Excellent shot. Nicely composed. The detail is good and nice light. Good job. TFS.

Hi,

This is an excellent shot. Perfec timing, composition.

Great work, TFS, Kiran.

Wow, this shot hits you right between the eyes! I hope you had a telephoto lens and that he wasn't that close!

TFS!

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