A Golden Eagle, to see one is always special. To see one nose to nose with a Coyote is something else.
June 8th, 2018 - 7:40am - I had just started walking toward Abbott’s Lagoon when I noticed a bump that didn’t look like a bush on the skyline of one of the big, bluff hills due west. So I focused my camera lens and there was a Golden Eagle. I quickened my pace to try to get a little closer as I was about 250 yards away, and that’s a very long way for a 500mm lens.
June 8th, 2018 - 7:42am - A couple of minutes later and look at this, a coyote has appeared where the eagle was, notice the rock right there, and the eagle had moved over about 50 yards.
June 8th, 2018 - 7:43am - Less than a minute later and the eagle has a most unwelcome visitor.
As the coyote edged closer, the eagle became very agitated and was screaming repeatedly at the coyote. My shots of the screaming were too off focus to include here.
The screaming did not sway the coyote…
…and it kept pushing in closer and closer. Its hard to tell how close they were, if I had to guess I would say about six feet.
Finally the coyote turned and eased back a bit as the eagle lets loose with another scream.
The coyote appears now to have noticed me and the eagle looks somewhat relieved at the break in intensity.
And the coyote then turned and moved off, heading back towards where it first appeared.
And the eagle kept watch to be sure there was no trickery brewing.
Peaceful solitude regained, the eagle looks to have regained composure.
And soon launches and flies northward.
This Golden Eagle is showing a plentiful golden nape and is either an adult or very nearly so.
Truly majestic.
Golden Eagles range covers most of the country and they are permanent year round in most areas west of the Rockies. It is always energizing to see one.