Martial Eagle

On our second day in Damaraland in Namibia, our guide Chris was doing his best to locate the desert adapted elephants for us to view.  We were driving through a dry riverbed, going in a direction that seemed to be completely opposite to where the elephants tracks were headed.  Since I couldn’t make heads or tails of the ellie tracks that crossed back and forth, this way and that, I kept my eyes out for birds and other animals.

A short distance from the vehicle, I spotted a martial eagle perched in low branch above the sandy riverbed.  Chris quickly stopped the vehicle so I could get a quick shot, assuming as I did that the bird would be gone in a moment.  Lucky for me, the eagle was very interested in posing for photos that morning, and sat still while the vehicle moved ahead, and then moved past it, so I could get photos from all angles.  I do really seem to have great luck with bird photos when I least expect it (and we did carry on to locate the ellies too).

An incredibly regal looking bird. All photos 1/800sec, f5.6, ISO640
An incredibly beautiful bird.
All photos 1/800sec, f5.6, ISO640.  April, 2015, Wilderness Safari’s Damaraland Camp, Namibia
A piercing stare.
A piercing stare.
Checking out what's happening in the riverbed, besides us.
Checking out what’s happening in the riverbed, besides us.
Head rotated backwards, and if you look closely, you'll notice the eyes are half closed.
Head rotated backwards, and if you look closely, you’ll notice the eyes are half closed.
Searching the ground for prey?  Or getting bored of all the attention?
Searching the ground for prey? Or getting bored of all the attention?

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I thought he was getting ready to take off at this point, but he settled back into his branch.
I thought he was getting ready to take off at this point, but he settled back into his branch.

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