Without a long lens I would not have had any idea that this bird had blood around the corner of the mouth, and thus recently having had a kill and meal. Being content I guess it simply sat here to watch over its territory, perhaps feeling an achievement of having conquered it and its bounties.
When they are airborne they are sometimes very hard to keep track of as they can glide between the trees like ghosts. I’ve seen them move away from me and disappear behind the conifers, then suddenly appearing downslope. Many times did I think an eagle was about to land on a perch, instead moving on after what seemed like a soft touch on the conifer tree it passed.
Thus the best bet is to keep a very close eye on the trees alongside the roads as you drive, as you might see a raptor perched close by, as this one did. The stopping of the car and engine did not bother it in any way, which is not what one expects as some species don’t let you closer than half a kilometer!
It sounds like this:
Elevation: 1845 meters
Last updated on 7 December 2020
