CLAIRE REID in NEWS
Last updated 15:12, Sunday 08 March 2020 GMT
LinkyA photographer managed to snap a perfectly timed picture showing an eagle flying off with an unfortunate little piglet.
The incredible photograph was taken by 75-year-old Clarke Espie in Queensland, Australia after he heard a piglet squealing and grabbed his camera.
Clarke said he was heading back to a campsite in Cromarty Wetlands when he heard the shriek coming from the sky, he instinctively reached for his camera and could hardly believe what he was seeing as the unfortunate pig was carried off.
He said: “I had been invited to capture the unique and diverse birdlife inhabiting these world class wetlands.
“Little did I imagine witnessing two massive sea eagles swooping low over my vehicle, one with a feral pig firmly gripped in its powerful talons.
“Despite its powerful wings, the sea eagle struggled to gain altitude before landing its prey upon a small island within the wetlands, where together the eagles shared the prey.
“I hurriedly snapped these images with a 500mm Telephoto lens as the sea eagles swept past.
“It was one of the most unusual sights I’ve seen. I thought it must’ve been a fish at first but as soon as I focused, I could see it was a piglet. It must have weighed around 5kg. Definitely not something I’ve witnessed before.”
Australia has around 24 million feral pigs – and the animals are regarded as pests in Queensland due to the fact they spread weeds, prey on native species and damage crops and stock.
White-bellied sea eagles can have a whopping seven-foot wingspan and are normally spotted high up in trees or flying over water around the Australian coast – the animals usually pair up for life, like the two you can see in Clarke’s picture.
They mainly live off aquatic animals, like fish and turtles, making the photograph all the more impressive.
Clarke, who previously worked as a commercial diver and documentary-maker for 35-years, added: “I’ve seen the imposing white-bellied sea eagle carnivore swoop in a shallow dive to snatch prey in its massive and powerful talons, taking fish, waterbirds, turtles, rabbits, flying foxes etc. before now, but this was something very rarely seen.
“I was astounded.”
Featured Images Credit: Media Drum World
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