FACEBOOK/DAVID CANALES The eagle got more than it asked for when it grabbed one of the gulls

The epic aerial battle shows the daily struggle of life in the wild.



A seagull is seen launching in to protect and free its companion from the eagle's firmly gripped talons



Photographer David Canales captured the once-in-a-lifetime moment from his kayak on Prince William Sound in Alaska.



The recent graduate from the University of San Antonio, Texas was on an 11-day expedition from Valdez to Whittier.



Few people would bet on a seagull being able to stand up to a bald eagle, a symbol of power and freedom in the US.



But, the powerful bird of prey had a fight on its hands as it tried to grab one of the gulls.

FACEBOOK/DAVID CANALES The seagulls' valiant efforts were in vain as the eagle flew off with its prized gull in its talons