What a battle
 

I was looking through some binoculars out on the ice in Alton Bay. I saw what looks to be an eagle (very big) jumping on and over the ice. I see some splashing that seems to attract him. I keep thinking it is fish jumping (saw lots of that in front of the house over last two days). After closer exam I realized that it was a loon that had gotten caught between two ice flows that had come together. It had to break through to breath and then avoid the eagle. It would go back and forth along the ice flow line. The eagle would hear it break through and fly over to the new position. The loon can't get out fast enough to fly away. I have been watching for 30 minutes, neither has given up. Fascinating!

BTW: too far away for pictures - sorry

I've seen this eagle behavior before, except that it was a diving duck that was unable to fly off with his flock of about one hundred other birds. (Perhaps wounded during the hunting season).

The water had poor visibility, so the eagle had to keep a good height (100-feet) above the surface. The duck would surface—breathe—then dive quickly again. I thought the eagle was going to give up, but the duck lost the next day.

The Loon has an advantage of a four-minute+ diving ability, but the disadvantage of a narrow space in the ice. Having seen this drama before, I'm not hopeful for the Loon. :(

Good news
 

The eagle finally gave up after 2 hours and the loon survived, though he kept calling out like he needed help getting out of his entrapment.

Oh yea!!! I was so worried about the loon. Is the loon free now?

He is free!

Double, triple yea!!!! I am so glad!

Steveo.....You need a Cannon SX50IS....:D

Donations gladly accepted :emb: