Peregrine Falcon Trailing a Young Eagle Overhead

Two birds share a clear blue sky. On the right, a large brown raptor soars with its wings fully spread and seen from below. Its feathers are mottled with cream and pale patches, and the wingtips splay into separate fingers. Its head is turned to the side. On the left, a much smaller, pale-bellied bird with swept-back wings and a yellow-ringed face flies a short distance behind. The soft, even light brings out the warm browns of the large bird against the plain background, and the difference in size gives the scene a tense, watchful feel.

The small bird fits the Peregrine Falcon named in the photo's details, recorded in Frederick County, Maryland, in January 2025. Peregrines are known for fast, aggressive flight, and they often harass larger raptors that pass through their territory, a behaviour called mobbing. The large bird appears to be a big soaring raptor, and I'd rather not name its species from the image alone. The wide landscape frame and the empty sky leave plenty of room for desktop icons, so it suits a widescreen monitor or a laptop. Icons on the left side would sit clear of the birds if you shift the crop.

More like this: Flock of Ducks Rising Over a Dune Pond.