Aerial Combat
Yesterday morning we saw an osprey flying across the marsh carrying a small fish it had just plucked out of the water.
Suddenly a bald eagle came swooping out of nowhere with a plan to take the fish from the osprey. A mid air battle ensued with the osprey taking evasive maneuvers, and the eagle matching him on every turn. Eagles are often quite successful at snatching a fish from another bird, but this osprey was determined to keep his tiny prize, and finally managed to shake off the eagle and fly away with his fish and pride intact.
In the first two photos where the osprey appears headless, it’s because he’s actually looking beneath and behind himself at the eagle, so what we see is the top of it’s head. In the last photo you can see the eagle reaching out with it’s talons in an attempt to grab the fish from the osprey. But…in the end the osprey was victorious and the eagle would have to go catch his own fish!
Phil Lanoue Photography 
As exciting as this is to see in photos, I can only imagine how your heart was racing!! You truly impress and inspire me!
Saw the pic on Ed’s FB page and was just amazed!! Your ears should have been ringing yesterday as we shared and talked about these photos!! I saw on FB where someone wants to do a painting of that one pic!! Absolutely breathtaking pics!! Thanks for sharing!! Connie and Ralph
Wow!
Wowwww una serie di scatti che definire fantastici è veramente troppo poco. Sono senza fiato, eccezionali, complimenti vivissimi.
Un caro saluto, Pat
These photos are absolutely stunning Phil. wow!!!
You know dear Phil, there are some plane shows in some of countries, every year… These photographs reminded me this human show by air-planes… They are amazing and as a show just for you, for your camera. I loved them. Thank you, love, nia
It’s alway a pleasure to watch your little stories.
Great series, you´re a lucky one to see this, Phil!
Wow!!
Wow what incredible captures Phil.
Oh My Word! These pics are so amazing, Phil. That bit of synchronised flying is incredible. I’m so glad the osprey didn’t give in to that bully of an eagle, and won out in the end. 😀
thats a big quadruple wow on this post as you rang off 4 of the greatest shots i have seen in quite a while and i am impressed
Amazing photo’s.
Phil these are amazing. To see those magnificent birds side by side like that is a sight rarely seen. Brought tears to my eyes. Thank you.
Wow! Breath taking! It actually reminded me of synchronized divers during the Olympics. Strange, right?
Beautiful, Phil.
Something you don’t see every day. Or most people, never. You caught it so well.
Utterly breathtaking, Phil. What a marvelous catch. (and not an alligator is sight!) 😉
Wow… Great images, Phil! 🙂
total magic, how beautiful, you have captured both osprey and eagle to perfection. You were in the right place at that right moment.You are a excellent wild life photographer well done!!!
Cheers Callie
Awesome!!!
I didn’t think you could out do yourself but you did. That is just amazing – I’m beginning to wonder if you’re visiting a movie set or a marsh!
It’s like a ballet, an areal duet – superb 🙂
Remarkable, Phil. Like Mr. Krahn, I’m often proven wrong that you couldn’t possibly top a recent post. Absolutely remarkable.
WOW! Talk about being in the right place at the right time! Great series. There there is know how on your part to capture the event with such style. Most impressive. Take two fish as a reward!
Very nice series of photos, what sort of camera settings were you using? That seems to be my downfall with manual settings, by the time I get things set up the moment has passed. So I tend to use the camera’s built in scene settings.
I can’t imagine seeing such a scene… AMAZING! Just wonderful.
WOW ! These are some kick-A xx shots ! I love how you show both of their wingspans paralleled to each other. Beautiful!
Great captures! Bald eagles are tough birds…. Thanks for sharing these awesome photos!
Thanks a million for looking and I appreciate your kind comments!
Amazing photos taken with perfect timing and clarity!
I truly appreciate you looking and your kind comments!
Truly wonderful aerial display!! I love the parallelism of the two birds and the differences in the textures and colors of the feathers of the two birds of prey. They are magnificent!
Wow thanks Judy for your very kind comments and I’m really glad you enjoyed these photos!