The photograph above, by Kevin Ebi, received a "professional honorable mention" award in the 2019 Audubon photography contest. The photo shows an American Bald Eagle, the emblem of our nation. In the Summer 2019 edition of Audubon Magazine, Ebi tells us the "story behind the shot."
I had spent the day photographing foxes and was panning with this kit running with its prey when an unmistakable cry made me look up. I just knew the eagle racing our way was after the fox's rabbit. I expected to have only a split second to capture the theft in one explosive frame; instead the eagle snagged the fox and rabbit, carrying both 20 feet off the ground. After eight seconds it dropped the fox, seemingly unharmed, and flew away with its stolen dinner.
According to baldeagleinfo.com, "the bald eagle was chosen June 20, 1782 as the emblem of the United States of America, because of its long life, great strength and majestic looks, and also because it was then believed to exist only on this continent."
Here is what Audubon says about the picture in its magazine, and in its online presentation of the award-winning photographs:
US. Bald eagles eat pretty much anything they want to. Their penchant for dining on carrion may seem less than regal, but they are also powerful predators. They capture a wide variety of fish, mammals, and birds, and do not hesitate to steal others’ prey.
Unfortunately, this description of the Bald Eagle seems also relevant when considering the qualities of the nation of which it is a symbol. With its great strength and majestic looks it is a "powerful predator" that does "not hesitate to steal others' prey." I think Mexico could testify to that!
It is an American bird!
Image Credit:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2019/jul/15/2019-audubon-photography-awards-winners-in-pictures
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