Friday, March 29, 2024

Photos of two iconic birds battling it out on Vancouver Island go viral

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There was an epic battle between two iconic birds on Vancouver Island over the weekend, and it was all captured on camera.

Lisa Bell and her family from Bowser, B.C. were camping at Spider Lake Springs, north of Qualicum Beach, when she spotted an eagle swooping down and landing right on top of a goose, pinning it to the ground.

Around 7:15 am Friday morning, as I was making the children’s breakfast, we heard this loud squawking coming from the pond. We raced down to see the Eagle on the Canada goose. I raced back to the trailer to get my camera. I was surprised they were still there,” Bell tells Victoria Buzz.

The goose played dead long enough for Bell to run and grab her camera. She was able to snap photos of the “once in a life time” opportunity.

These types of things usually do not last long but in a matter of 3 minutes it was over and I was so amazed to have witnessed the wild act of nature and to capture it in my camera lens.

As the eagle adjusted itself, the opportunistic goose used that moment to break free and launch itself into a nearby pond – with the eagle chasing behind.

“While the eagle had the goose down I felt for sure she was gone. But then her back end started to lift and because of this, the eagle had to adjust her hold on the goose. This gave it further leverage to free itself. The eagle lost it’s grip, and that goose was off like lightinng with the eagle just inches away.”

The clever goose immediately took cover by diving under the water as the eagle swooped over top.

Bell said the eagle doubled back, swooped down at the goose once more unsuccessfully, and then flew off to a nearby tree.

They both took flight and once over the water the Canada goose dove into the water as the eagle swooped by missing her chance. The eagle made a few more passes then perched on top of the tree above us and called for her mate. Within a few minutes, the mate appeared. The goose remained in the middle of the pond for a long time and the two eagles eventually left to find a meal elsewhere.”

Bell posted the photos to Facebook where they went viral, being shared nearly 300 times in just a few days. Many of those sharing the photo are dubbing it the battle between Canada and the United States.

Bell said the goose appeared to only suffer a few minor talon scratches in the scuffle.

Enjoy:

Image courtesy of Lisa Bell
Image courtesy of Lisa Bell
Image courtesy of Lisa Bell
Image courtesy of Lisa Bell
Image courtesy of Lisa Bell
Image courtesy of Lisa Bell
Image courtesy of Lisa Bell
Image courtesy of Lisa Bell
Image courtesy of Lisa Bell
Image courtesy of Lisa Bell
Image courtesy of Lisa Bell
Image courtesy of Lisa Bell
Image courtesy of Lisa Bell
Image courtesy of Lisa Bell
Image courtesy of Lisa Bell
Image courtesy of Lisa Bell

 

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Victoria Buzz Staffhttps://www.victoriabuzz.com
Your inside source for Greater Victoria happenings. Established in 2012.

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