And then posing nicely afterward.
- This morning I’m reaching back into my archives again. Way back. These four photos were taken at Farmington Bay WMA in February of 2008 when I was a fledgling bird photographer. All but the first one are new to my blog.
1/1250, f/7.1 ISO 500, Canon 40D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
There were lots of eagles at Farmington that day but it was a tough morning for bird photography. The clouds were thick and the light was low so light reflecting up off the ice was the only thing that allowed me to get any detail on the underside of the eagle. Here “he” is flaring his wings as he descends to land on his chosen spot on the ice.
1/1250, f/7.1 ISO 500, Canon 40D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
The next shot in the burst.
There were so many birds in the area, mostly gulls, ravens, coots and other eagles, I was very lucky to avoid getting distracting out of focus birds in the background in any of these photos. In this situation coots in particular tend to mess up my shots.
1/1250, f/7.1 ISO 500, Canon 40D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Two frames later he’s fairly close to his intended landing spot but we still can’t see it.
The water at Farmington is only inches deep and the eagles wade in it often which can result in muddy feet. The right foot of the eagle is covered with mud.
1/500, f/8 ISO 500, Canon 40D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Elevated perches at Farmington are rare so the eagle had to settle for a pile of wind-blown ice slabs. I think it’s a visually interesting perch. By chance he had water in front of him that produced his reflection so I tried to take advantage of it while cropping the image.
Those were the “good old days” at Farmington when eagles in winter were numerous and there were relatively few bird photographers. I understand there was a single cooperative eagle at Farmington several days ago and it was mobbed by photographers.
I didn’t realize how good I had it back then.
Ron
Note: It’s possible that the eagle in the last shot is a different bird than the eagle in the previous photos but I don’t think so. It’s been so long that I don’t remember for sure.
These photos make my heart sing. Just lovely.
Ron, I agree with every ones raves about these pictures. They are fantastic. I love Eagles to start with, but I am no photographer. I watch several nests and unfortunately they are not off on a good start this year. Praying for things to get better. Again Ron, beautiful shots.
What great shots! They must have fueled your passion like crazy. Makes me want to go find eagles now.
Yeah, the eagles that winter were great, Dave – numerous and cooperative, at least for eagles. I believe it was soon after that that I splurged on my first 7D camera. Nothing like a little success to inspire a bird photographer to buy newer and better gear…
What a superb series of photographs! I can’t even walk on ice so am very impressed with a huge raptor which can land on the stuff without a beak plant.
Your technical proficiency was terrific then and, like a fine wine, continues to improve with age.
Thank you, Wally. I’ve seen a fair number of birds slip-sliding on ice but Bald Eagles aren’t one of them.
Looks to me that you were a damn good photographer even as a fledgling. In 12 years you must have amassed gazillobytes of photos and a lot we have yet to see.
Yup, gazillobytes of photos is probably pretty close but back then especially most were garbage, Lyle. I’ve posted quite a few of the good ones.
Beautiful. Beautiful. Beautiful. And no Coot photobombs! 😉 These shots are pretty damn spectacular!
I’m glad you like them, Marty. Thanks.
Wow, fantastic shots. I hope you find another Eagle soon.
I hope so too, Jean.
How absolutely amazing.
I have scrolled up, I have scrolled down. I will undoubtedly scroll some more. And yes, of course I noticed his britches.
What an experience to have – and capture.
Megathanks.
Thanks very much, EC.
Happy Happy ❗️ If you remember the Bald eagle is my favorite 😜 I’ll take a picture of one anyway I can get it good light …bad light 😁
Beautiful shots. Thank you ❗️
Thank you, Diana.
Beautiful photographs! So lucky for you to have seen so many of them there – sorry they are no longer there.
Joanne, there’s still some of them around but they usually hang out in inaccessible areas of the refuge. Or elsewhere.
Love this series…Thanks!!!
Thank you, Patty.
Spectacular! Great photos…the two colors of his feet caught my eye immediately after admiring the beauty of this bird! I’m glad you explained the reason in your writing (I tend to look at the photos first and then go back to read) because I began to think of reasons why that would happen. Glad it was not a problem. Ironically as I was coming home from shopping yesterday, I spotted an adult perched atop a utility pole about 1/2 mile from here. I stopped of course…he was watching a juvenile picking through a fresh deer carcass (about a dozen or so crows were waiting their turn also). After a bit the youngster flew to a tree and the adult came in for his turn…the crows had to continue waiting. 😏
Thanks, Kathy. Both ravens and crows often harass the eagles at Farmington but they’re only amateurs compared to the pesky gulls. I’ve seen gulls pulling the tails of eagles in flight. Don’t think crows or ravens would dare do that.
Wow, i can just imagine the excitement you had as you were tracking the eagle in your viewfinder. I thought these were taken at the beach, until i read your comments that the white “waves” were actually ice. Well, like the baby eagles you sure didn’t remain a “fledgling” that long. Thanks for sharing.
“I can just imagine the excitement”
Elmer, in those days I was new enough to bird photography that I would get buck fever every time I had a “good” bird in my viewfinder. Not a good thing in a situation where it’s best to remain as calm as possible.
Beautiful series Ron of my favorite bird. Oh for the good old days. No better formula for a wonderful day out in nature than a number of eagles and only you or maybe one other photographer. When we get lot of eagles in December and into early January we also of course get a lot of photographers. Nature photography has become very popular especially as cameras have become better and better. I would assume most of the photographers in a group wish they were alone, but it is what it is. Thanks for sharing this series. Envious.
“it is what it is”
That’s true but unfortunate, including for the eagles. Thanks, Everett.
REALLY neat series, Ron! 🙂 Unfortunately, once “word” gets out the self-centered idiots “swarm” Chinook has been on the past couple of days….. Made 60 here yesterday! YIKES! 41 this morning. Wind hasn’t been bad tho that is to change tonight and tomorrow……. I’ll bit my lip now…… 😉
Enjoy your relatively calm chinook while you can, Judy. In my memory “calm” chinooks are the exception.
Wow, Wow, Wow, Ron!! I can never get enough of your spectacular Eagle captures!! You also amaze me how you overcome potential problems obtaining these wonderful captures. I also agree with you about the good old days!! On one hand it’s great to have more people loving our wildlife & hopefully supporting their wellbeing but that means places where we loved to visit to see & photograph these special creatures are now mobbed & too many photographers are only interested in the photo without considering the bird or other animals!
Thank you, Jo Ann. Sadly your last sentence is all too true.