I have a thing for Golden Eagles apparently. These huge birds are pretty much at the pinnacle of the avian food chain. In this painting I wanted to capture the immensity of the bird. I used a reference photo that I found on the net ages ago that wasn't of any decent quality but I loved the pose of the bird over it's kill. Now mind you Golden eagles normally hunt smaller prey such as rabbits, but are known to take down small deer as well. Image if you would a winter starved deer crossing an open field. The eagle plummeting downward, striking the deer like a freight train. It's talons easily snapping the deer's spine with the impact. Not a pretty picture, but that's the way of nature .... eat or be eaten. Oil on stretched canvas 36"(90cm) x 24"(60cm)
18 Comments
Mark Peterson 26 Mar 2011
~ Nice work John...Tahirih Hall 06 Sep 2006
Amazing! You've totally captured the spirit of this magnificent bird.Gary Glass 31 Jan 2006
wonderful work here and your more than welcome to use mine as a reference if you so desire, Golden Eagles are beautiful creatures..Mine has great detail in the mantle/neck area of which they get their name from.John Enright 11 Jan 2006
man...this is a nice piece of work. Let me know what you think of my eagle if you have a moment.Trevor Baum 09 Dec 2005
Awesome painting, great feeling I can feel the wind excellent!Michael Miner 24 Nov 2005
Perfect. Thanks for sharing.Renata Cavanaugh 22 Nov 2005
Fatnastic work....he is beautifulAnonymous Guest 16 Nov 2005
Beautifully done image and stunning you must be happy on your work there silverhawk_1ukReba McDonald 15 Nov 2005
Beautifully done image.Christina Langman 15 Nov 2005
This is stunning. So real and crisp - full of life. Excellent work!Analua 15 Nov 2005
Awsome and great paint John!!!Matthew Steffen 15 Nov 2005
great painting Johnjennifer blenkinsopp 15 Nov 2005
WOW, This is amazing, very realistic, bravo.RQ Trietsch 15 Nov 2005
And I thought it was a photo. Great job! And thanks for the commentary. Wish more people would do that.Christine brand 15 Nov 2005
Intense! Excellent work. The harsh reality of the world and its cold bleak way. I wish it were some other story...Very fine work however. Serves as a reminder to keep our wits about us as best we can.Aris Stathakis 15 Nov 2005
great work, well done!Rob Slijkhuis 15 Nov 2005
Photorealistic appearance in oils; Magnificent!Tabitha Borges 15 Nov 2005
Such details and emotion in this great oil work....