Golden eagle eye6/10/2023 Two funnel-shaped areas in each eye (we’ve just one) where vision is extra-sharp. So there’s finer detail in the picture. But there’s more. An eagle’s retina has up to one million light-sensitive cells per millimetre, in comparison with our 200,000. This falls on the light-sensing ‘retina’ surface at the back of the eye. Relative to ours, this retina is also large, giving a magnified view of the surroundings. Forward-facing for binocular vision, they let in plenty of light. Golden Vision – First of all, golden eagle’s eyes are massive in relation to ours, filling much more of the skull. Unconvinced? Trying seeing the world, even partly imagined, through golden eagle eyes. That knowledge – that you are the watched and not simply the watcher – puts a whole new spin on any journey in eagle territory. Here’s a major reason why: a golden eagle in that landscape will see you long, long before you see it. There will be an extra excitement you’ll feel from the landscape. What you can be sure of is that if you spend time walking and watching from our upper deck in good golden eagle ground, you’ll discover parts of wild Scotland that won’t disappoint. But there’s more. That Eagle Feeling – So let’s be up-front about this: there are no guarantees. The challenge is – how to see one in wild Scotland. They can even crush bone when they grip. Expert at soaring, gliding and fast aerial dives, a golden eagle combines power, size and grace. Males weigh-in around 3.5 kilos, females at around 5 kilos – the same as five bags of sugar. The feet are massive, able to spread wider than the span of an adult human’s hand. It’s big, with a wingspan that tops 2 metres and body weight of several kilos. ‘Majestic’, ‘elegant’, ‘powerful’ and ‘magnificent’ are terms often used, without exaggeration, to describe a golden eagle. Once voted the nation’s favourite, for many this is the bird that symbolises wild Scotland. It’s top of the wish-list for guests with an eye for feathered wildlife, and the bird we always count lucky to see. No wonder. The bird, named Electra, is now a permanent resident at the Wings Over Mull sanctuary, as with its reduced eyesight, it could not survive in the wild.The High Flyer Has one massive impact on many who hear them. We worked on the eye that we know is the healthiest and we are best just leaving it there and not risking a prolonged anaesthetic and a prolonged recovery.” He said: “With such a small chance of any improvement I don't think it was justified. However, a second cataract operation on the other eye was ruled out. Ophthalmologist George Peplinski carried out the surgery on the bird’s right eye. But it was decided that without sight, the bird’s future was bleak. Putting birds under general anaesthetic is considered very risky as the shock often kills them. The bird was found on the island of Mull by staff from the Wings Over Mull bird sanctuary, who brought it the University of Glasgow. It is the first time a procedure to remove a cataract caused by trauma has been carried out on a golden eagle. It is believed the shock caused a cataract to develop and the 14lb bird of prey was taken to the Small Animal Hospital where the tricky surgery was carried out. The bird underwent pioneering eye surgery after it flew into electricity cables badly damaging its eyesight.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |