White-tailed Eagle

Our second day at the Kirkcudbright Country Fair.  Unfortunately the weather wasn't quite as pleasant as Saturday but at least it was dry and reasonably warm.

I am afraid my passion for bird life has yet again taken over my blip.  Ben Potter was again doing demonstrations with this Vultures and Eagles so they took up a lot of my time.  Rather than birds in flight this is a portrait of his White-tailed Sea Eagle Roxy (captive bred obviously).

As far as I am concerned the White-tail is a very special bird.  The largest UK bird of prey and the 4th largest Eagle in the world.  On the wall in our kitchen is a shot of one of the first immature birds released during the reintroduction to the UK in 70s and 80s.  It was taken by "the Mate" while living in the Hebrides and working for the local press.

Unfortunately while the UK is estimated to have supported about 200 pairs before they were persecuted into extinction the population is now only about 40 pairs.