Dropping In
Eagles' precision and sophistication in controlling flight can be studied in detail when they drop in for spot landings.
For bald eagles, with their seven- or eight-foot wingspan and 12- to 15-pound weight, dropping in on small landing sites without mishap requires a high degree of control over direction and descent. Bald eagles control their arrivals by deploying impressive aerodynamics. They control their flight surfaces (wings and tail) over a range of movements, extending, rotating, adjusting, and retracting as necessary. But the real magic and sophistication of their landings comes from their precise control of their flight feathers. Individual muscle groups for each flight feather allow them to control the attitude of each flight feather. It shows, as these photo sequences capture some of the skills needed for precision arrivals without mishap.
Most obviously, they control their wing-tip feathers.
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The subtlety of their control extends to the feathers at their wings' trailing edges. They can raise or lower these feathers like aircraft spoilers, ailerons, and flaps.
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Wings and tail and feathers are here extended on final approach:
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Then wings and feathers are pulled up, into an arc, to reduce lift and speed:
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Here wings begin closing to reduce lift and slow forward motion:
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Contact. Shutting down.
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More arrivals:
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And more:
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The feathers are layered, like vanes, almost like a multi-wing WWI biplane. Each feather is an airfoil.
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And, finally, the last sequence:
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A final tail drag and talon skid before reaching the chosen rock.
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Spot-landing success.
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Experts state that the skills bald eagles need for successful landings (especially on tree branches) take years to learn. This immature eagle has just successfully dropped in, but without much grace.
Comments
After a lifetime of mainly expressing myself with words, my postings here will mainly rely on images. They will speak for themselves to some extent, but I'll usually add a few comments of explanation. I've taken photographs for decades, since the 1950's, inspired in part by my father's photographic skill. Four years of photo assignments and quality darkroom time eventually gave way to decades of casual and family picture-taking. I re-immersed myself when I left film and turned to digital.