The home-life of a golden eagle / photographed and described by H.B. MacPherson.

  • MacPherson, H. B.
Date:
1911
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The home-life of a golden eagle / photographed and described by H.B. MacPherson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    was a difficulty which I had not foreseen, for, though the nest was warmly lined with thick grass and heather, the Eaglets were extremely sensitive to cold. I therefore covered them with my cap while the camera was being arranged, and examined them at frequent intervals to make sure that they were not suffering from the protracted absence of their mother. The arrangements for securing the portrait of the Eagle being complete, a long length of rubber tubing was affixed, and we stopped to examine our handiwork. The camera was now completely hidden among the stones, the lens only being visible. An ultra-rapid plate was inserted and the shutter set to qissec. at F'.8, the most rapid speed which could be risked in the failing light. We then climbed to the top of the rock and made our way to a sheltered nook nearly a mile down the corrie, from which, with the aid of the glass, we could command a view of the nest. Here we waited for an hour and a half in vain, till suddenly my companion drew my attention to a dark form flapping slowly across the opposite face. The Golden Eagle was returning to her eyrie. Those only who have experienced the fascination of this most exciting form of sport will understand my feelings at this moment. Hope alternated with despair as the Eagle circled round above the nest, then settled on a rock on the opposite side of the corrie. Here she sat motionless for perhaps a quarter of an hour, then, rising again into mid-air, disappeared from sight behind the hills. I was now becoming anxious about the young Eagles, and had it not been for the stalker’s persuasion should have removed the camera, for the cold was intense and at this elevation, nearly 3,000 feet, snow was extremely probable. The question now arose, was this long absence from the nest part of the Eagle’s everyday programme, or was she suspicious of the hidden camera ? Or, perchance, her piercing eyes had discovered
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