Boaters and swimmers in the Seward Park area of Lake Washington (Seattle side of the lake) were treated to a battle between two fiercely territorial bald eagles this past Fourth of July. The eagles were likely fighting over fish, but their dive bombing brought them dangerously close to a cluster of swimmers not far off the shore. Eventually, one of the birds made it to shore, and, as one on-looker mentioned, it was bleeding as a result of the skirmish.

Full disclosure: as someone who has spent many summers watching these majestic creatures fish along the shores of Lake Washington, I can tell you with absolute certainty that the last thing I ever want to see is one of these things coming right at me. They’re friggin’ huge.

[SeattlePI]