Eagles are big up close ! Wish I had the Go Pro going.

[Paul Tuttle]

Originally Posted by humptybump

Paul - that is good practice for your visit to 53VG. We have turkey buzzards at 1000-2000' and raptor birds at 1500-3000'

Glen,

It's been a tough summer on birds for me. A pheasant went through the grill of my truck, some kind of bird bounced off my boot while riding the bike leaving a trail of feathers behind and now this eagle. I'm starting to feel like I'm in an Alfred Hitchcock movie.

[Vlad]

Originally Posted by humptybump

Paul - that is good practice for your visit to 53VG. We have turkey buzzards at 1000-2000' and raptor birds at 1500-3000'

and over a cornfield to the east seagulls from the surface to 500'

[humptybump]

Vlad - the Flock of Seagulls broke up a long time ago.

[videobobk]

I had a golden go above my right wingtip a couple years ago--missed by 5-8 feet. My wife was thrilled to see it. I didn't let on how much it scared me, as I didn't see it until I was almost on it with no time to react. I was surprised that it didn't seem to take any evasive action, and I got a good look at its eyes.

Bob

[Jimboscr]

I know that these birds can be the cause of a heart in the mouth moment along with a rapid increase in the pulse rate, but they are simply beautiful creatures. I have a real sense of awe and joy whenever I see any of the Raptor species, but especially eagles. Boy they can fly so effortlessly they make us look like rank amateurs.

As Mark said in his post, down here we get Wedge Tailed Eagles and they can be very large, and when they come past in the same thermal you are in it is scary and thrilling at the same time. I have seen them line up and pounce from a great height on some unsuspecting critter, they just fold those wings take aim and down they go guided by those amazing eyes.

Love them birds!

Jim

[paul330]

I have a 23rd floor apartment on the water front in Hong Kong. Eagles regularly soar on the updraughts and pass just a few feet from the windows. Awesome!

[Danny King]

I got to share airspace with a beautiful Golden Eagle over lake Texoma on the Texas/Oklahoma border on a Sunday afternoon. It was a wonderful experience. We both kept a safe distance from each other as we did lazy circles.

I've been told that the Doll's half black, half white spinner works well to help our feathered friends avoid me. It has a strobe effect that the birds notice from a greater distance. I can't verify any of this, but I haven't had any really close calls in thirteen years of flying. Maybe there's something to it!