[Tweeters] Another Eagle versus Prey story

[Hans-Joachim Feddern via Tweeters]

Many, many moons ago when Cackling Geese were still a subspecies of Canada
Goose, I was parked next to the big puddle at the Damon Point Marina and
across the Ocean Shores Nature Center. This was before the fence went up
and you could still look for birds inside the marina. It was the end of a
long day of great birding on the shore and I was adding a few more species
to the days list, when I noticed that something had scared all the gulls
and a flock of Marbled Godwits into the air. Thinking that it had to be an
eagle or a Peregrine, I got out of the car to see what spooked them. To my
surprise a small goose - now Cackling -  came zooming by closely chased by
an adult Bald Eagle. Every time just before the eagle could sinks its
talons in the goose’s back, the bird’s rear defensive radar would tell it
to cut in the afterburner! That last burst of energy saved its life several
times, but it was getting tired.
The chase went on around the marina and came back towards me. I can still
see the eagle’s tongue hanging out! Now there is a motel across the street
and there are power - and telephone lines in front of it. Below those lines
there is heavy cable drooping from pole to pole. In desperation the goose
dove under the drooping cable. The eagle just realized the obstacle at the
last second and had to pull straight up like a fighter plane after a
bombing run! The goose was long gone and the eagle went hungry!

As Dennis said, I was rooting for the prey!

*Hans Feddern*
Twin Lakes/Federal Way, WA
thefedderns at gmail.com
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