Clash of eagles - Antoni Kasprzak - Wildlife Photographer of the Year2008

2008 Animal Behaviour: Birds - Winner

Antoni Kasprzak Click to enlarge Clash of eagles

Antoni Kasprzak (Poland)

Clash of eagles

'Photographing in Poland, I found a dead moose that would be ideal bait. Five hours later, an adult and an immature white-tailed eagle arrived together, and a struggle broke out. The older, more experienced bird won, forcing the immature eagle to wait its turn for more than an hour, along with other scavengers.' White-tailed eagles are the largest eagles in northern Europe, with a wingspan of more than two metres. Mature birds have a yellow beak, while the juveniles are a darker brown. Eagles will swoop and catch fish, but will also feed on carrion. When winter is particularly cold, and food is scare, fights over food break out.

Canon EOS 40D + Canon EF500mm f4 IS USM lens; 1/1000 sec at f4.5; ISO 500; tripod.

This photograph is available to buy as a print.