Eagle Demonstrates Air Prowess in Lido Shores

Editors Note: Our winter 2016 Eagle saga continues. Carrie Cox recently sent in some pix from husband Ken showing the predatory power of these fierce, majestic creatures. The Cox's backyard on Westway is home to a pair of osprey. Tom and Paula McInerney's yard, next to our beach access, is home to the eagles nest. 

Tom and Paula have graciously allowed us to link their Eagle Cam to our website. You can watch a live feed anytime by going to lido-shores.com in your browser... and clicking on the Eagle Cam picture. 

 Enjoy Carrie's commentary.  

~ BT

bthill@icloud.com

American Bald Eagle who's temporarily adopted Lido Shores takes down a surprised seagull

Just saw the eagle take a seagull out of the sky and land it in our yard!! (Spoiler alert: the seagull, thankfully, survives!) At first I was afraid it was one of the nesting osprey since they harass the eagles every time the eagles enter “their” airspace (which is many times a day). Normally, the eagles take no notice, but I thought the eagle finally got sick of it and grabbed one of ‘em. 

Thankfully, it wasn’t the osprey… though the osprey was so offended by the eagle landing in “his” yard, he repeatedly dive-bombed the eagle.  

Amazingly, the eagle flew off AND the seagull recovered and flew away!!! “Real Birds of Sarasota”, right here.

Ken got a few fabulous shots (it’s ok to look, since the seagull survived!):

Below, the osprey swoops in for the first of several strafing runs, and the eagle reacts in these two photos.

Below, the eagle flies away... and the Luckiest Seagull recovers, then flies off.

Seeing this was awesome and scary – and a caution for neighbors with small pets who go outdoors that these eagles are incredible, and amazing predators.

~ Carrie Cox