Golden Eagle, Magpie, and Christmas Dinnner

[jmthompson]

I spotted these guys on the side of the road when out driving around looking for photo ops on Christmas Day. Watched them for about an hour, at times laughing so hard I would forget to take pictures!

At first, the golden eagle is dining peacefully...

Pest incoming!!!

The magpie immediately went behind the golden and started pulling on his tail feathers. Every time he would start to eat, the magpie would grab his tail feathers and pull. The golden would lift his head up, and the magpie would jump back.

After about 15 minutes, his feathers were starting to get a little ruffled!!

We weren't sure what was going to happen first...the magpie was going to give up, or the golden was going to get fed up and have magpie for lunch. The magpie eventually gave up!

Dining peacefully...in true Christmas spirit!!!

Reminds me of the dinner table at Christmas time when I was a kid with three older brothers...lots of bickering, and then we would finally settle down and eat (but our dinners did look ALOT more appetizing)!!!!

 

[Joe&Caroline]

love the pics awsome job !!!!!

 

[EricD]

Excellent captures on that Raptor!!! Spot on!

 

[jmthompson]

Thank you, Joe&Caroline and Eric!

 

[Montana]

Excellent photos and what a great opportunity! I'd have been laughing as well!

Derrick

Hey, I just realized....Spearfish isn't that far from here. Great area you live in there!

 

[jmthompson]

Thanks Derrick! Spearfish isn't bad, but I actually consider Story, Wyoming, my home (even if I live in Spearfish!), and it is SSOOO much better !!!! That is where these pictures were taken.