Heron Lake Plateau I believe I can touch the sky

Ridge was posted on a low branch, a little cranky, and a lot not feeling like being messed with. He was content to snooze until his mood swing passed, but the sound of a tiny growl made him open his eyes. The black pup was easily spotted just under the branch he was perched on, as it wasn't trying to hide. Did these parents not teach their kids that there were things in this world that would try to eat them? 

Well, their misfortune was about to be his gain. Ridge could not allow such a plump meal to pass him by, though the logistics would be a bit difficult, seeing as how the pup was under him. Usually, he'd fly in from a distance so that he had enough speed to lift his meal off the ground. 

Spreading his wings, he jumped from the branch and went into a controlled fall, his wings flapping to slow his decent. His talons opened just before he dropped down on the pup. Only one foot was able to grab the pup, but Ridge figured it would be enough. Flapping his wings harder, he attempted to lift himself and his meal off the ground. The pup was about half his weight, and the golden eagle struggled to get off the ground, all the while trying to keep the pup in his grasp.