On my blog today, I’m sharing an image of a Bald Eagle that was captured while zeroing in on prey in a lake. In the post titled “Bald Eagle’s Successful Catch,” I describe how the eagle managed to capture the prey successfully.
Although I’m not sure if it was the same fish it saw initially, as it flew back into the sky and approached from a different direction.
Bald eagles have exceptional eyesight, which makes them the masters of the skies. Here are some fascinating facts about their vision:
- Super Sharpness: Bald eagles have 20/4 or 20/5 vision, which is four to five times sharper than a human’s 20/20 vision. It means eagles can see objects that are four to five times farther away than humans can. Imagine seeing a rabbit from three miles away; that’s how sharp their vision is!
- Eagle Eye Structure: Their eyes are large and take up most of their skull. They have two foveae, which are areas of sharpest vision, while humans only have one. This double fovea helps them perceive details exceptionally well. Their eyes are also positioned slightly forward on their heads, providing overlapping binocular vision, which is essential for superior depth perception when hunting.
- Broad View: Unlike humans, eagles have a nearly 340-degree panoramic view instead of a 180-degree field of view. Their eyes are set farther apart on the sides of their heads, allowing them to have incredible peripheral vision. This lets them scan vast areas effortlessly, never missing a potential meal or threat.
- Zoom Power: Eagles can adjust the shape of their lens to focus near and far, similar to how our cameras work. This lets them switch between scanning the horizon and pinpointing prey up close with ease.
- Seeing Beyond: Bald eagles can detect ultraviolet light, invisible to humans. This might help them spot fish shimmering beneath the water’s surface or track small rodents by their urine trails.
These are just a few of the amazing features that make bald eagle eyesight so remarkable. Their keen vision plays a crucial role in their survival, from hunting success to evading predators. It’s no wonder these majestic birds have become a symbol of power, focus, and sharp observation!
Image Information:
- Date: 12/12/23
- Time: 10:54 AM
- Location: Charleston, Arkansas
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
- ISO: 1000
- Aperture: 7.1
- Shutter: 1/3200
- Exp. Comp.: -0.7
- Lens (mm): 500
- Program Mode: Manual