A set of painterly trail cam photos capturing an epic fight between two golden eagles and a coyote over a deer carcass have gone viral.
The epic images were captured by HawkWatch International, a raptor conservation charity, back in 2022 but were previously unknown until they were shared by the Nature is Metal Instagram page this weekend. The camera was set by Cody Allen.
The showdown was captured over the course of 30 minutes in Utah’s West Desert. The first image shows the start of the confrontation with the three animals sizing each other up and one of the eagles holding up its wings in an intimidating pose.
In further photos, the coyote and golden eagle battle while on top of the deer carcass as the canine tries to strip flesh from the remains. However, the birds eventually came out on top but the coyote returned later that night to feast on the deer.
In its original post, HawkWatch International compared the photos to a Renaissance painting to which a commenter agreed they have “total Caravaggio vibes.” The photos were captured on a Reconyx trail camera which appears to be running an HDR effect meaning that it captures details in the shadows and highlights of the image.
Multiple people requested prints of the unique images to which HawkWatch International has abided by making prints available via its website.
“Besides water, food is arguably the most valuable resource in the wild. Its availability directly influences an animal’s ability to survive, grow, and reproduce. In environments where hunting or foraging is challenging or highly competitive, scavenging provides an alternative source of nutrients. It allows animals to exploit resources left by other predators, ensuring survival even when direct food sources are scarce,” writes the Nature is Metal Instagram page about the photos.
“In areas where carrion is a significant food source, competition for these finds are an eventuality.”
Last week, PetaPixel reported on another amazing and fortuitous nature capture when a photographer caught the moment a bobcat pounced on a giant blue heron to pluck it from the air mid-flight.
More trail cam photos can be found on HawkWatch International’s Instagram page and to find out more about raptor conservation visit its website.
Image credits: HawkWatch International