This is the Daredevil. He is the most acrobatic eagle I have ever known. Many times he catches me off guard with his lightning quick maneuvers! In the eagle world he would be akin to Tom Cruise in Top Gun. Which is why I chose that name for him.
For their size eagles are remarkably agile! I felt lucky to get this sequence.
Tofino Photography 
He was really performing there, Wayne! I’m glad you were able to capture those moves!
He does things like that. Always amazing to be around him!
Great agility and great captures!
I swear he gets a kick out of fooling me! He fooled me twice on this particular shoot.
I love getting to know a wild animal well enough that I can guess what they are going to do but no matter how long I know the Daredevil he always surprises me!
Wow Wayne! You blew this out of the park! Stunning.
Thanks Cindy! I’d hazard a guess that 1/2 the shots worked. Being close to him and because of the speed makes it really hard to be able to track him!
Locked on target, great performance the both of you.
thank you Hans but you need to know half the shots failed. The speed is just too much for me to grab onto him. It’s one of the reasons why I never close my left eye when I shoot. I can track him better.
I have got the same problem, hard to find them in the small camera shotingarea, especially when you reaches 500-600 mm on the zoom lens.
I use a 28-105 lens for my eagles. Trying to capture something so fast with such a small field of view would be near impossible. I learned that a long time ago.
So to overcome this I’ve found If I get to know the eagle first it’ll be easier to photograph as It won’t fly away. Plus the shorter focal length has huge depth of field! Which almost guarantees it’ll be in focus!
I think very few people do what I do as they are not interested in investing so many years into getting to know eagles but I find It very rewarding personally!
“My” eagles are far to shy, even if they during winter passes regularly some spots.
Daredevil is definitely doing acrobatics. Great capture of his action, Wayne!
Thank you Hazel,It’s always so nice just to be close something so beautiful!
😊 Yes it is! You’re welcome, Wayne!
Simply amazing, Wayne
Thank you Robbie. What is the name of the type of eagle you have?
Hi Wayne, we have the Martial Eagle which is the biggest of the South African eagles. We also have the African crowned eagle. There is a pair of Verreaux or Black eagles that nest at our local botanical gardens.
no shortage of eagles about!
That is a magnificent series, Wayne! Thank you for sharing those photos with us. What truly amazing birds they are!
My pleasure Lynette! They each have unique personalities!
So glad I stumbled on your blog. I can live the my dream of being an outdoor photographer through your photos. Daredevil is what a human acrobat would aspire to. Thanks for sharing.
That has to be one of the best compliments I’ve ever read! Thank you very much and I hope my shots help inspire you!
That is a fantastic sequence! Acrobatic is the word that came to my mind as I looked at the photos. I’m pleased to have chosen the same adjective that you did.
His former partner (Delilah) used to be even more acrobatic than him! I’ve seen her spin like a planes prop many times!
Good choice Anne!
What a gifted artist!
thank you Martha! Do you have any Baldies in your area?
Yes, in the Bavarian Alps, just about 60 Kilometers away from here, from Munich, there are some Baldies – thank heaven that they are back again! As well golden eagles, their population grew in the last thirty years – thank heaven for that, too!
you have Baldies as well as Goldies…….LUCKY you! I only have a handful of Goldi shots.
Wow – this eagle is far above others in his flying skills. You did capture some great photos. Wayne.
Thank you Peggy! He loves to do these surprising maneuvers!
WOW!! You go, Dare Devil!
He’s defiantly a Go Go kind of eagle Liz!
:D
Some amazing acrobatics you caught, Wayne. What a bird!
I swear he likes to show off for me?
Thank you Noelle!
Maybe his name ought t obe Show 0ff!
Super!
thank you Sherry!
beautiful dive sequence
thank you Ernie!
He is fabulous, Wayne! Top Gun, top dog, top eagle 👏
He’s a character to be sure! I’ll let him know.
Oh, the Daredevil! My Hero! What skill! I am so happy for you to have managed to get these shots. It must have felt quite exhilarating! Thank you for sharing, Wayne.
my pleasure Betty! I’m going out tomorrow to search for a Humpback that’s been hanging around? More to come!
New here- I must say, your photographer’s eye for catching incredible moments is stellar. I’ve never seen such pristine photos of an eagle. Very cool!
Thank you Jessica!
These are amazing shots of The Daredevil Wayne. I’m always amazed by the wingspan and that fourth picture of the feathers flared at the bottom. This eagle loves posing for you!
we go way back! He’s always a happy guy!
He looks like it – buddies enjoying being together!
Air brakes. Don’t have that squealing tire and asphalt scraping sound. Great images Wayne. Missing you from austin. Closed the business last year. Still sorting it all out.
Hello John! So good to hear from you! Now that you sold the business you can start a new beginning! Let me know how it unfolds for you?
remember to always have fun!
What an awesome series of moves – like a olympics air gymnast 👍
He gets the Gold in my books!
Oh Daredevil, you have earned your name! Great shots, Wayne.
Thank you Jennie!
You are welcome, Wayne.
A bird that big would have to have some serious muscle power to zip around like that. :)
Yes,I imagine it would! 7 foot wing spans require huge amounts of energy!