Sea gull challenges bald eagle for the life of second gull

VALDEZ, Alaska, July 15 (UPI) -- A photo shared by the U.S. Department of Interior shows a brave sea gull attempting to take on a bald eagle that had another sea gull trapped in its talons.

The Department of Interior, which shared the photo on Facebook, said photographer David Canales witnessed the struggle while kayaking on Prince William Sound in Alaska.

The department said the "epic aerial battle" came to an end when the sea gull gave up on trying to save its friend and the eagle flew off with its prey.

Canales posted a second photo on his Facebook account that appears to show the eagle escaping with the trapped gull while two other sea gulls give chase.