THE RIVER OTTER AND THE GREY HEADED FISH EAGLE

We can never know, when nature favours us with exciting and memorable moments in the wild.   It often happens when least expected.  Sharing with you one such experience. 

On a chilly morning, early in March 2012, five friends (Sandeep, Vimal, Arun, Meera  and me), were on a safari  in Kaziranga National Park, Assam.  A couple of hours had passed.  During this time, we had sighted many birds and beasts!  large and small!  Captured them on camera too.  Some species we sighted for the first time, while others were repeat sightings.  We were happy and content with both.

We continued our drive along the river.  After sometime, we stopped at a view point.  I wandered along the river bank.  In the distance, I spotted a dark brown blob on the small island in the river.

The brown blob on the island.

On closer look through my binoculars, I found it was a River Otter.  He stood up, looked around, probably to see if there was any danger lurking around.  He seemed satisfied.

Looking around to make sure it was safe to relax.

Soon he settled on the mud bank to soak in the morning sun.  Little did he or we know what was in store next. 

Time to relax and soak in the morning sun.

We continued sighting and  photographing other water birds around from different vantage points.  About ten minutes had passed.  Suddenly, the poor otter was jolted out of his reverie.  Looking up to see what had caused this panic, I got the answer.  He had spotted a Grey Headed Fish Eagle.

The alert otter spotted the eagle.

The eagle swooped down towards the otter. 

Quickly diving into the river ......

...... with a great big splash.

With a great big splash, the otter dived into the water as fast as his little legs could carry him . 

All the while his eyes  followed the movement and path of the eagle’s flight.  The eagle could not catch him. The eagle missed his meal, while the otter saved his life.

He watched with relief as the eagle flew away.  Little Otter had had a narrow escape!  

The otter watched as the eagle flew away.

The otter,  now ever alert, was watching the eagle, not letting down his guard even for a moment.  Down flew the eagle once again on the same flight path.

Fishing eagle with a huge fish

This time the eagle  was lucky.  No, no, he didn’t get the Otter for a meal.  The Otter had outwitted him.  His catch was a huge river fish, most likely a rohu.  

Clutching his prize in his strong claws, he flew with satisfaction,  looking for a place on the river bank.    He found one, settled down to devour his meal.

Looking for a spot to settle down ....

.... looks like he found a place to enjoy his catch.

It was high drama on the river bank, something that held us spell bound.  

We watched this whole drama unfold from the river bank from different vantage points on the river bank.   We were some distance away -  all this was happening mid river.  I could not capture clear images, but did manage to capture the essence of the moments witnessed.

(I have not been able to verify, if Grey Headed Fish Eagles eat River otters.  But from my point of view, to me it did look he was trying to hunt the otter for a meal.)