I was driving along the Summerland Way heading to see my bestie, when I spotted a large shape ahead on the side of the road. I instantly knew what it was, slowed and parked the car. Turning the engine, music, lights off I wound down the window, grabbed my camera and hoped that I get some photos of the Wedged-tailed Eagle, the largest bird of prey in Australia, having lunch.
This is what I saw. WARNING It does contain some grisly photos.
The first quick photo just in case he flew off once he spotted me stopped. He did see me but I tried to be as still as I could and hoped he was very hungry and would continue eating the Red-necked Wallaby who was most probably road kill.
Then it was back to having his lunch – actually it was late afternoon
Another look up to see if I had moved
Ripping off a piece of meat from the Red-necked Wallaby, he just tossed it down. Now you can see the talons, about the size of your hand
More to eat while still keeping an eye on me
Now where to have a nibble. Aren’t those fluffy pants adorable?
Suddenly some small birds flew into a nearby tree. Probably seeing me, they started making their warning calls. This distracted him from the meal and he looked around at the bush behind just in case the threat came from that direction.
As the other birds kept their racket up, he decided it was time to go. As he unfurled the 2 meter plus wings he was gone. Unfortunately I was unable to get the lift-off as he flew into the bit of bush behind.
That was the end of my encounter. As I started the car and gave those small birds a glare, I noticed he had just flown a few meters into a tree but I was unable to stop again on the sometimes busy road.
