currentsinbiology:

The Story Behind This Bald Eagle Stealing a Rabbit From a Fox

When wildlife photographer Kevin Ebi heard the bald eagle’s call, he knew exactly what was about to happen.

Ebi has spent years photographing wildlife in the Pacific Northwest, and he gained an extensive background on bald eagles while working on his book Year of the Eagle. But it was foxes he was hoping to photograph when he was in Washington State’s San Juan Island National Historical Park last Saturday. At this time of year, young foxes can often be seen in the region.

As the day neared late afternoon, one such young fox scampered across an open field with a rabbit, recently captured, dangling from its jaws.

Dive-bombing from above, a young eagle suddenly swooped down, wrapped its talons around the rabbit, and lifted it into the air, fox still in tow.

On the one hand, I feel kinda bad for the fox losing a meal.

On the other hand, that’s hilarious.

Am I wrong, or did the eagle call on purpose to make the fox turn around and accidentally present the rabbit as a target?