There is something so majestic and regal about birds of prey: powerful talons, sturdy, hooked bills, their variety of coloration but most of all their ease and freedom of flight. When guests ask what animal I would be if I could choose one, my answer is always the same: an eagle. While the African Fish Eagle has always appealed the most due to life next to the river and incredible hunting skills, I think any eagle lives a rather incredible life. There is always such excitement seeing one of these distinguished creatures out on game drive, and attempting to capture this regality in a shot.
I hope you all enjoy the selection I have put together here.
Londolozi’s largest eagle: the Martial Eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus)
A monochrome moment of a Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax) against a clear sky.
I love the blueish coloration on the face of the Juvenile Bateleur Eagle (Terathopius ecaudatus). It takes about 7 years for Bateleurs to reach maturity!
Dark Chanting Goshawk (Melierax metabates) with a Black Mamba kill.
One of Londolozi’s local residents, the African Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer) stares out across the Sand River
A Lizard Buzzard (Kaupifalco monogrammicus) cautiously peers out from a Jackalberry tree.
Tawny Eagle against a bare blue sky
Another shot of a Dark Chanting Goshawk
Brown Snake Eagle (Circaetus cinereus)
Verreaux’s Eagle (Aquila verreauxii)
Adult Bateleur Eagle (Terathopius ecaudatus)
African Hawk Eagle (Aquila spilogaster)
I’ll leave you with this incredible video filmed on Londolozi, of a young Martial Eagle attempting to take down a klipspringer on Ximpalapala Koppie:
Photographed by: Andrea Campbell
Filmed by Sheena Insull (Londolozi Guest)
Stunning images Andrea. Amazing video.
Very, very nice photos and video
Wow Andrea how do you get those shots?? I always struggle with light and when the light is good the bird takes flight…. Have to teach me next time. Simply brilliant!
Thanks Trevor. The trick is often to over expose by a stop or two when shooting up into the sky! Hope that helps.
Thank you Andrea. Every time I come back to Londolozi, my eyes are always searching for my favorite bird of prey, the majestic Bateleur. They are all magnificent but this bird is special.
Good to know that sighting still stands up – all the best to you wonderful people at Londolozi.
Gorgeous photos. Thank you for bringing these majestic birds to our attention Andrea.
Always a pleasure Lori!
Beautiful pictures Andrea! You have certainly managed to capture the regality of the different Eagles. The video was also fantastic Sheena!
Thanks Jill!
Great Birds.
always a pleasure
Love all the shots. You make it look easy to get them to pose for you! Loved the goshawk with the black mamba. Funny name for a golden brown snake.
Love these photos, I’m brushing up on my birding and loving it. Thanks for sharing Andrea.