I have just watched the most amazing aerial dogfight.We live over looking a cove just North of Nelson Bay.A large eagle was circling overhead when out of the blue two Hawks started to attack it.The aerial manoeuvres by these birds were just pure aerobatics at it's best.One such  manoeuvre by the Eagle was a series of barrel rolls,whilst it was upside down it"stalons were extended upwards to fend off the hawks.To actually see a bird flying upside down was pure magic.If I had not seen it myself I would not have believed it possible.The climbs,turns,dives,mid air braking,and stalls performed by these beautiful creatures just astounded me.The closest to this type of flying could only be offered by the Fleet Air Arm guys.(Sorry Rob had to say it did'nt I).The contest eventually ended when the Ealgle soared higher and higher until almost out of site.This was Nature at it's best.Cheers.Ibbo.

They always painted two arrows on Fleet Air Arm aircraft so that the Seaweed suckers knew which way was forward and which way was up.    

Rob

Unfold the wing and you have the forward arrow, the rest speaks for itself.......

We are not amused by banal remarks such as these.Tut Tut.and He He.Sorry I could't be serious for long.Hey Maybe the Hawks came from Williamtown,it's only over the hill from here.Cheers.Ibbo.

yep seen it many times and still get a huge kick out of it, we've got goshawks around here as well as peregrines (spelling sorry) the peregrines dive at a phenomenal rate of knots and simply "blast" their pray out of the sky killing instantly on impact the goshawks are amazing flyers, they take sparrows and doves and pigeons out of trees, most time the prey doesn't even know they are under observance, the flying ability and maneuverability of the goshawk is unmatched in the flying world by anything the speed of the peregrine is phenomenal and it is only until it is seen that it is believed then the wedge tailed eagle is a bird all on it's own, the power, grace and general flying ability is unrivalled to watch the mating "dance" between two wedgies is to be enthralled on every level, they will lock talons at 1,000 feet and just "spiral" down almost to the ground time and time again, amazing stuff I can and often do just sit and watch! in awe!

Fantastic Ibbo!

I havent seen what you described, but always enjoy watching the "big birds" doing their thing so gracefully.

Watched a magpie and crow band together to chase off a wedgetail one day, and was surprised to see 2 different species usually competitors join up for their common goal.

Australia's sky is just the grandest...

That's love. Should be more of it. City folk rarely get the opportunity to see these things, and they have to watch David Attenborough doco's to see it. I hope I get a chance to see it some day. I love sitting quietly somewhere just watching nature doing it's thing, especially the birds. The pair of thick kneed curlews here in the park have 2 chicks about 9 wks old now, but they are still teaching together. There's nothing more levelling and humbling than watching nature. It restores the soul.