I finally have some Golden Eagle flight shots that I’m pleased with.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I found the bird perched in a tree four days ago as I drove the South Road in Montana’s Centennial Valley. The eagle took off almost immediately after I stopped my pickup though I suspect it would have stayed in the tree if I’d have continued to drive on by. When vehicles stop or change speeds significantly it tends to make perched raptors nervous. For some reason several of my shots of this bird were a little soft but I thought these two turned out nicely.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I would have preferred to get something in the background more interesting than plain blue sky but I won’t complain too much about that and I was pleased that in the two images I like best I caught the eagle in both the “wings up” and “wings down” position instead of gliding poses.
One of several reasons that Golden Eagles in flight have been a nemesis for me for so long is that I usually find them with the sun relatively high in the sky so the ventral surfaces have nearly always been in deep shade. But these images were taken at 7:28 AM so I have better light under the bird.
The actual takeoff shot from an attractive conifer was soft and I’m disappointed in that but these two images took away some of that pain.
Ron
You should be pleased with them, they are magnificent Ron!
Charlotte
The gape and feet are both huge on that second shot. Glad you got some photos of a nemesis bird.
Me too, Pam – big time.
Congratulations! It is so exciting when you finally get a shot you have been after for a long period. I’m happy for you.
Thanks, Dave. I know that you realize exactly how it feels.
Ron, These are extraordinary photos. Thanks so much for sharing. Since I am relatively new to your site, please tell me if past photos are still available for viewing. And yes, I would love to see a photo of a spotted eagle someday.
Elizabeth
They’re all available, Elizabeth (though comments have been turned off for posts older than 10 days because of spammers).
You can see a list of “Most Popular Posts” and “Recent Posts” to the right of my blog. They’re links so all you have to do is click on them.
You can also use the search box for species or subjects at the upper right hand corner of my blog. And you can use the subject categories underneath the rotating banner at the top.
Good luck. I hope you find something interesting!
I am a bit late but nevertheless I want to tell you how happy I am to see that you’ve fulfilled one of your dreams.
Congratulations Ron, they are wonderful.
It was a long time coming, Jorge. Thanks very much.
Oh Wow. Both are amazing, but the wings up makes my heart soar.
Thank you so much.
I’m glad you enjoyed them, EC. Thanks.
Beautiful photos, I love the intensity of their gaze, you were able to capture that in both photos.
Thank you, April.
A stopped vehicle too often means trouble and threat…no wonder it makes so many creatures nervous! Those who don’t feel that way, and react quickly, too often end up wounded or dead….
From the high number of shot raptors and even eagles we get at the rehab, I’d agree the smart ones fly off when a truck stops.
April makes a valid point. Thankfully, I don’t think raptors are shot as often as they used to be (I remember it seeming to be a relatively common occurrence when I was growing up in Montana in the 50’s).
I’ve been waiting for these! They’re wonderful!!! I especially like the second as it shows even more detail than the first…it’s a classic eagle shot. Can’t wait for more!!! I hope someday you can get a couple of good shots of a Wambli Gleska, or spotted eagle, a juvenile…this one is obviously an adult…and a beautiful, beautiful couple of images!!!
I predicted you might enjoy these images, Patty. In fact I thought of you when I was processing them.
How beautiful. I also agree with all the above comments. You are so gifted and patient with your photos.
Thanks, Trudy. I may be patient in my photography but I’m sure not known for having it in other aspects of my life…
Oh WOW, Ron!! I’m happy for you that you were able to capture some photos of a Golden!! S/he is one majestic raptor. I can understand why you would have preferred something other than “just” blue sky – otherwise it’s hard to see just how large this raptor is!! Now from MY perspective – I’d give anything to just see one much less capture them as well as you do. Even when the weather doesn’t cooperate you manage to give us jaw-dropping gorgeous photos of wildlife!!
Jo Ann, Generally I prefer a more interesting background than blue sky but I’m OK with it too. After all, it’s natural and sky and raptors just seem to go well together.
Congratulations on getting these two wonderful shots. I like both of them, but especially the second one because I like seeing the clenched feet. I also noticed that this bird has some rather raggedy feathers on its left wing, which made me think back to some of the discussions about grooming and how that realigns the part of the feather (not sure that’s expressed correctly).
Susan, in my experience “raggedy feathers” are typical on Goldens. Not sure why…
Congratulations Ron!! Beautiful, well-lit and stunning as always. Simply…wow.
Thank you, Zaphir.
What a gift you have, I make a point to tell people of your photographs and check out themselves, they really enjoy.
Thanks very much for the kind words, Steven.
Congratulations on finally getting your Eagle-in-flight shot! Judging from your comments, you clearly want more. It seems really good (self critical) photographers are never satisfied and are always on the lookout for the perfect shot. However, the wings up photo is really impressive to my amateur eye. Is there such a thing as a perfect shot?
There probably is such a thing as a perfect shot, Dennis but when you don’t set up or call in birds it’s very difficult to achieve. I would say I’ve never done it but IMO I’ve come quite close a (very) few times…
Beautiful! Golden Eagles are particularly hard to photograph!
They’ve sure been hard for me, Gail!
Ah goldens. So very magnificent (most of the time) and so WOW! And oh MY! Look at those feet! And that lovely golden nape, and, and, and!
Congratulations! I don’t give a flip what the background is…John Denver’s song, “I am the Eagle” comes immediately to mind.
Are you familiar with Lauren McGough, eagle falconer who hunted and lived with the eagle falconers in Mongolia for I think three seasons on a Fullbright scholarship? That young woman is living the life I should have lived! 🙂
You noticed what I did, Laura – the golden nape and the feet in the second image.
Yes, I’m familiar with Lauren. I did a little research on her when you mentioned her previously.
Amazing shot. I like the way you expose and process the image. Its looks so natural.
Thanks for noticing the “natural” look, Nikhil. It’s what I prefer. All I did in processing these images was minor exposure adjustments and selectively sharpen the bird.
Beautiful shots, Ron! 🙂 As large as they are they are still hard to capture and they do tend to leave when a vehicle stops. 🙁 Glad to got what you did with good lighting allowing for wonderful detail.
I’ve been waiting for lighting similar to this on a Golden for a long time, Judy.
Congratulations! You finally got what you wanted. Both images are very impressive, with such an imposing looking and majestic bird.
Thank you, Ricardo.