Eagle who dared to snatch side of venison
THEY are legendary hunters capable of snatching their prey and carrying it off within seconds.
But this golden eagle’s plans for dinner proved to be just a little too ambitious – as the red fawn he had his eye on managed to evade his clutches.
Despite a wingspan of at least six feet, the bird had to abandon his attempts to lift the animal off the ground by its head.
Dramatic pictures capturing the moment the bird swooped in for the attack were taken by amateur wildlife photographer Dawid Banasiak during a visit to the west coast of the Isle of Mull.
The Polish tourist said: ‘The eagle was trying to separate the young red deer calf from its herd and I must admit that he was very good.
‘He drew closer and closer every second and clawed his talons around its head. I was thinking it was the end but the brave deer was able to save itself. It must have been very frustrating for the eagle.’
Mr Banasiak watched as the fawn was able to make off along the hillside behind its mother.
Golden eagles are known for their ambitious attacks on potential prey, with reports of them even swooping on bears and coyotes in other parts of the world.
A spokesman for Nature Scotland, a wildlife tour operator on Mull, said it was a ‘once in a lifetime encounter’.