A White-Tailed Eagle lands next to us

It’s near to the end of a long day marooned in a mountain-top hide, sitting in silence. I spot an eagle circling very low over us.

It lands in front of us.

It’s breathtaking.

I’m beside myself with excitement. It sits on the grass with a shin bone and hoof in its massive claws and looks around. The light is stunning and I can’t quite believe just how close it is. This is a wild bird with incredible eyesight which is so close I can see the pupils in its eyes.

When it lifts off it’s too close to fit in my viewfinder.

It’s the perfect example of the sort of wildlife experience which gives my life meaning.

We finally killed the last of our White-tailed Sea Eagles in the UK at the start of the 20th Century. They are slowly being reintroduced. I wish them all safe flight and protection from the harm caused by our selfish land owners.