What it's like to fly a golden eagle

Lauren McGough is an American falconer who has become an expert on flying eagles - something that few people in western falconry dare to do. She is currently working with a golden eagle called Miles, a bird which was once seen as a lost cause. He had been illegally taken from his nest as a hatchling and couldn't be released into the wild. Lauren describes the magical moment when Miles leaves her fist in search of prey.

Image: Lauren McGough and golden eagle Miles
Credit: Jenna Close