AN eagle that spotted an easy meal got the shock of its life this month when it swooped down on a nice plump duck floating in a lake.

　　The duck was plastic. It was also anchored by rope to an iron plate, furthering the eagle’s bewilderment.

　　“It was fascinating to watch,” said Ole H. Hjartoey by telephone from the Arctic town of Bodoe Tuesday, when his experience made national news.

　　The duck decoy was one of two Hjartoey, 47, had placed in the water in front of his lakeside cabin.

　　“I had my back turned when I heard a big splash behind me. I turned and saw the eagle trying to sink its claws into the plastic duck,” said the management consultant.

　　He said the eagle clung to the decoy and took off, only to have the prize wrenched from its claws when the rope ran out.

　　“The eagle landed in a tree, and stood on an angled branch looking down at the duck,” said Hjartoey.

　　Hjartoey said the eagle took off, leaving the decoy with “claw marks that looked like razor cuts.”

　　The misguided attack took place Sept. 7, but only made news after someone tipped the local newspaper in Bodoe, about 90 km north of the Arctic Circle.  (SD-Agencies)