Oh my goodness! I was totally thrilled this week to see a Wedge-tailed Eaglet taking its first steps out of the nest and exercising its wings ready for flight. I even captured a shot when it managed to lift itself a few inches above the branch.
1/1250, f/5.6, ISO 800
Canon 5DSR, Canon 200-400 L IS USM
I’m a long way from this eaglet, on a narrow track on the side of a gorge. Although the eagles’ nest is huge there are only a few metres of the bushy track where it can be seen, and then it would only be likely to notice it if an adult bird flew in or out as someone was passing. Unless you have a beaut friend who asks if you’d like to see them (thank you JB).
In the shot above the sun was shining, the ISO was very reasonable, and the eaglet had ventured out of the nest and was cleaning its talons.
1/1000, f/6.3, ISO 3200
Canon 5DSR, Canon 200-400 L IS USM
A ‘branchling’ is a young bird that leaves the nest but is still unable to fly – the act of doing this is called ‘branching’. The bird’s parents will still be watchful and supplying food. The adult birds flew over a few times, high in the sky, and one adult flew nearby and watched, half-hidden, from the branches of a eucalypt.
It was an awesome sight when the eaglet started flapping its wings – such power.
1/1000, f/6.3, ISO 3200
Canon 5DSR, Canon 200-400 L IS USM
This Wedge-tailed Eagle chick looked very confident as it strode a little further from the nest. It continued to vigorously flap its wings. I love the way this shot emphasises its body shape and its heavily feathered legs.
1/1000, f/6.3, ISO 3200
Canon 5DSR, Canon 200-400 L IS USM
And we have lift off! It was brilliant to see that its wing muscles have developed enough strength for it to take off, just a little. It seemed to be concentrating hard to maintain control. I love the way its primaries are curved and the way its tail is spread.
1/1000, f/6.3, ISO 3200
Canon 5DSR, Canon 200-400 L IS USM
It landed a short way along the branch, gripping tightly with its huge feet and using its wings to keep its balance, much the same way as we use our arms. The under and over wing patterns are shown in the shot above. The russet-brown colouring is a feature of young Wedge-tailed Eagles, they get gradually darker as they age.
1/1000, f/6.3, ISO 3200
Canon 5DSR, Canon 200-400 L IS USM
For a moment it seemed as though it might fall but it spread its legs wide and leaned forward while controlling its balance with its wings and tail. Its right wing is also at full stretch which you’ll be able to see if you peer closely behind the leaves.
I captured these shots on Wednesday and I’m guessing that by now this bird would have followed its sibling and parents into the sky. One of nature’s many miracles.
Happy birding, Kim
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One of my many favourite birds. What a magical moment. We had a wonderful experience in the Flinders Ranges many years ago with several catching the thermals. Thanks Kim for the info too. I look forward to seeing your emails and seeing any new birds and learning about them. (as I am in Qld) Happy Birding and shooting (of the non destructive type).
Oh Carolyn, I can just imagine the blissfulness of watching eagles riding the thermals in the Flinders Ranges! There are so many beautiful birds in Queensland, hopefully I’ll see some lifers when I’m up there next. And thank you for your non-destructive shooting comment, won’t it be great when the destructive type is banned…
Thank you Kim – as always. You remind us that there is another, more important world out there 🙂
We need to remember these beautiful things don’t we, especially when the world news isn’t always easy to listen to. I always pause to watch and wonder when birds visit the birdbaths outside my window – sometimes I do more watching than working!
These pics tell a sensational story that make me think I was right there watching it all happen!!
That’s great Tess, thank you!
I keep coming back to these photos after seeing the new ones. Gotta love nature and it’s sensational birds!!!
You’re so right Tess. I feel the same way about nature.
And its sensational birds!
Wow! What an experience, Kim! Such wonderful photos and great story. Such a gorgeous eaglet finding his way into the world. Thankyou for sharing. x
It was magical Margaret, such a thrill to see it taking its first leaps towards flight xo
Such a brilliant event to witness! So fortunate that you were there to capture it so beautifully. They are such a majestic bird and I just love their feathery pants 😍
I was super lucky with the timing Alyssa, it couldn’t have been better. I love those feathery pants too!
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What an amazing event to capture with your usual brilliance. One of those ‘never to be forgotten’ experiences.
Aw thank you Margot. It was truly awe inspiring to watch the eaglet at this important moment in its life, I was very lucky.
Absolutely awesome pics and descriptions Kim. So stoked for you that you got to photograph this beautiful bird. Just the best of best encounters! Love all the info – esp about branchlings. Had no idea. Warm regards, and thanks heaps for your wonderful pics and educational website.
It was brilliant Denise, really brilliant. The chances of me being there on just the right day were pretty slim as there were so many things to juggle, including inclement weather. Birds are heaps tougher than we are when it comes to weather! I’m rapt that you enjoy lirralirra, thank you, Kim
Fantastic photos, thanks Kim
It was an awesome sight Bob, I was super lucky to witness it
Wow eagles are so magestic even when one is just venturing out of the nest! I was minding a house in the Southern Highlands and two eagles would soar above the mountains and down into the valleys and definitely controlled the skies. Pure magic. One kept returning to the dense treed areas and I hope there was a nest and another new arrval as beautiful as your eaglet and also venturing out into a new world. Stunning photos and all these amazing birds truly represent the magic of nature.
Best Christmas present for the children is a camera and a day out exploring our natural environments.
Merry Christmas to all bird lovers and naturalists everywhere and thank you Kim for another year of beautiful, unique and incredible photos of our very precious feathered friends.
That would have been a magnificent spot to have watched the eagles Barbara. There’s been one out the back of my place a couple of times recently, on the ground, but I can find (or smell) any sign of what it was doing there. Children, nature and cameras are a great mix – everyone sees different things through a lens and children often astound me with their observation and creativity.
Love your posts – thank you.
You are so welcome Marie, thank you for letting me know, Kim
Dear Kim,
What a wonderful series of the Eaglet trying out its power for the first time. It is so good to have stories and pictures👌 like yours to read upon waking up versus what is “mainstream news” most of which if not all is so dispiriting and negative. So my thanks for giving us positive and hopeful stories with accompanying beautiful pictures of our natural world.
‘Power’ is the perfect word to use Alison. I keep imagining how incredible it must be for it to take its first actual flight. And thank you for your beaut comment, it’s lovely to think of lirralirra in that way, Kim
What an amazing sight. I suspect that if I had been lucky enough to be there I would have been watching (mouth unattractively open) and forgotten to take any photos. I am so pleased (and grateful) that you have more presence of mind.
I love his dapper britches too.
Oh yes, I do that so often but luckily not this time. I did gasp a couple of times when I thought it was going to fall but it used its wings and tail to steady itself.
What a fantastic photo story Kim! Your images are just amazing! Thank you for adding the word descriptions as well!
My pleasure Kath. It was such a fabulous sight and extra special that I can share it with an appreciative audience. Thank you!