Flying with golden eagles - 18th April 2010

I still get a buzz from the moment when my feet leave the ground; the suspense of disbelief once more. However, sometimes you get to experience something really special.

About 25km south of take off in glencoe near dalmally, I was joined in my rather lumpy thermal by two golden eagles.

They were feeling spring frisky and were doing the courtship dance where one flips upside down as the other approaches and they pretend to grab each others talons.

The other game they were playing was mocking my flying skills - diving 100m below me and converting back the speed of the dive in a smooth, steep arc above me.

They didn't stay long but those few minutes will stay with me forever. Perfect moments of pure interaction with true masters of wild highland air and a rare privilege.

A slideshow of pictures of the day including three shots of the eagles is here - I didn't manage to get any when they were close. For some golden eagle's viewpoint of flying click here.