This is the incredible moment when a cheeky bald eagle took a red fox’s supper in spectacular fashion.
The image depicts a fox and an eagle battling for a rabbit in the San Juan Islands of Washington.
“Eagles don’t want to waste time hunting for food, so they search for simple possibilities,” wildlife photographer Kevin Ebi explained.
“I filmed an extremely spectacular incident of stealing between these wild creatures a few of days ago.”
“I witnessed a bald eagle snatching a rabbit off a juvenile red fox.” Even more impressive: this duel took place more over 20 feet in the air at points.”
Kevin was hunting for young foxes on the islands when the incident happened right in front of his eyes.
“A red fox had grabbed and was taking a rabbit across the meadow.” I used it to pan my camera to catch the event.”
“Then I heard a bald eagle cry from behind me.” When I glanced back, I noticed it approaching quickly. I could see it was after the rabbit.”
“I kept my camera fixed on the fox, expecting a split second of movement.”
“The scenario was considerably more intense than I had anticipated.” I assumed the fox would drop the rabbit, providing an easy meal for the eagle.”
“Instead, the fox was snatched by the bald eagle while its jaw was still locked on the rabbit. The young fox and rabbit were carried into the sky by the eagle, resulting in an even more spectacular battle.”
The entire airborne war lasted about 8 seconds, but the fox soon surrendered up after realizing the battle could not be won, and the eagle dropped it from a height of about 20 feet.
“It shrugged off the fight and went back to playing with its friends.” After the event, I took multiple images of it and couldn’t detect a single scratch,”
“I believe the eagle reasoned that because it was a young fox, the fox would have been afraid by the eagle and dropped the rabbit.”
“It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” Bald eagles have been observed stealing food from crows, great blue herons, and other eagles.”
“I’ve never witnessed a heist involving an eagle, fox, and rabbit all at the same time.” But, having spent almost two decades photographing animals, I think that every animal has a tale to tell.”