Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

22nd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Flight Or Fight

On the shores of the Kachemak Bay in Homer, Alaska, I stood with my Nikon and 500mm telephoto lens in anticipation of an eagle or two. After a couple hours and nothing in sight, I started to pack up when suddenly, I heard a cry. I looked back and witnessed a Bald Eagle soaring above the water dragging a Sea-Duck in its talons. I quickly reloaded and by the time I locked it in focus, I noticed it wasn't the only predator around. A Golden Eagle and a Raven had entered the scene, fighting for the catch. It was all happening so quickly but I just kept following the action and snapping away, discovering later that during all the aerial madness I had captured all four birds together, perfectly symbolizing the story. There's so much going on in this photo – four unique bird species, aerial maneuvers, incredible wingspans – and the longer you look, the more that's revealed... I can't help but notice how seemingly desperate the Sea-Duck looks as it's violently whipped around like a rag-doll, bloody feathers scattering in the wind, all while the jagged snow-capped mountains paint layers of a wondrously winter backdrop – its cold, harsh conditions reminiscent of the brutal nature unfolding in the foreground.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 01.2024
Date Uploaded: 12.2024
Photo Location: Homer, Alaska, United States of America
Camera: NIKON Z 6
Copyright: © Jimmy Fiatarone