Capture Date/Time:
December 04 2004
Camera: Canon 10D
Lens: 28-200mm F3.5
Focal Length: 200mm
Aperture/Shutter Speed:
F/5.6 – 1/60 sec
ISO: 100 – Flash: None

A Bateleur Eagle at the Chafee Zoo in Fresno, California. Odd fact #1 – In addition to all of the other things i’ve done in my life, I am also a trained Falconer(no joke) and studied Raptor Biology for a short while in college. (Raptors are birds of prey) I grew up around raptors having trained both an American Kestral and a Red Tailed Hawk. I just wish I had been more into photography at the time as I would have definitely had some amazing photos. Thankfully this big fella was eager to sit and share a moment with me at close range.

Bateleur Eagles (Terapthopius Ecaudatus) are originally from Africa(South of the Sahara Desert in the sahara and plains) and thrive on carrion, birds, reptiles and small mammals. Their name is French for “Acrobat” and it is known for its steep dives and rolls and its ability to soar in flight for hours while searching for food.