Until yesterday I hadn’t had a Golden Eagle in my viewfinder for much too long.
1/5000, f/6.3, ISO 320, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
The eagle was high on a ridge, pretty far away and while perched ‘she’ was partially hidden by grasses on Antelope Island. But the light angle was good so how could I not watch her through my lens and hope she’d take off in my direction. Eventually that’s exactly what she did.
This is her first downstroke during liftoff. It takes massive, powerful wings to get a 10 pound bird off the ground which I think this takeoff posture dramatically illustrates. I like the symmetry of the image with the eagle centered in the frame and her very long wings in a horizontal position and parallel to the ground. Her broadly fanned tail and attention-grabbing yellow feet are a bonus. Because she wasn’t close I don’t have quite as much detail as I’d prefer so I’m pleasantly surprised by how much I like the image.
It was so very considerate of her to turn her head slightly to her left so we can see her eye, her lit-up face and even part of her golden mantle. Little things like that make a big positive difference.
I got quite a few photos of her during takeoff and in flight but I’m in the middle of a large and time-consuming project so this morning I only have time for a single photo. I’ll likely post more of them soon.
Ron
Simply magnificent! I’ve been blessed to hunt with goldens in the field several times and twice to even hold them on my fist as they looked deeply into my soul, judging me. Goldens carry a special magic and you captured that magic in this image. Thank you!
Laura, I can only imagine what it would be like to have a Golden on my fist. You’re one lucky person, at least in that regard.
My birthday present…👍❤️👏
Happy Birthday, Patty!
Happy Birthday!!!💗🎉🎂
And what a perfectly chosen gift Ron gave you. Happy Birthday.
Wonderful, and on the Island too.
April, this is the first one I’ve seen on the island in a very long time.
Quintessentially magnificent.
Good luck with your project.
Thanks, EC.
I know hard hard it is to get such sharp, well-lit, and perfectly timed photos such as this. Wow.
Yup, it’s a challenge Kent.
I would not want to be a rodent in her flight path. Heck, I would be a bit unnerved if she was heading toward me.
Congrats at capturing her in this moment of “fearful symmetry”.
“I would not want to be a rodent in her flight path”
Or a rabbit, which I think is their preferred prey in this area.
You had me at Golden! She is truly magnificent! 😍 You hit this shot out of the park, Ron — with players on base too! You have definitely whet my appetite for more Golden Eagles! I could look at her all day.
She’s a pretty neat bird isn’t she, Marty.
The leading edge of her wings look like they could cut through steel, or is that an optical illusion? Amazing pic.
Thanks, Bob.
This image is a great illustration of the Golden’s huge wingspan. Good one!
Thanks, Kathryn.
Wonderful! 😍 She REALLY did cooperate for her “photo session”..😉 They are magnificent creatures. We do have them at times along with the Bald’s. We had one along with a Bald and umpteen crows competing for a road killed deer the other day. Caught the golden nape as I went by to confirm. Crows, which have become more numerous in recent years were winning at that point. Looking forward to more of her…..😀
-12 before windchill at the moment – windchill warning now into Fri.
“Caught the golden nape as I went by to confirm”
Judy, for me that field mark is often the easiest one to use to distinguish Goldens from some immature Balds.
Sounds like you’d better stay inside for a while.
Yes, immature Bald’s can confuse me at times. Yep – minimal trips out only to make sure the cluck has warm water and maybe the mail. Vaccinations are being rescheduled – just NOT doing it. LONG stretch of this stuff – a bit unusual…….
It’s too bad you had to reschedule but I don’t blame you. Doesn’t make a lot of sense to risk life and limb when you can get it another time, as long as it’s reasonably soon.
What an amazing shot this morning, Ron! The name of this bird in french is “aigle royal” and “royal” he is. He’s really the king of the raptors. This species is rarely seen in Quebec except during the fall migration when the bird leaves its nesting area in a southerly direction. As you specified so well, he is very intolerant to humans. Have a great day!
“He’s really the king of the raptors.”
I certainly wouldn’t argue that point, Laval. I love all raptors but for me Golden Eagles are almost infinitely magnificent.
She looks like a 1945 B29 taking off from Guam or Saipan. Like Brad I have never seen a Golden Eagle in the wild. They are definitely rare here in the Prescott area. I think further north of here you are more likely to see one. Looking forward to seeing more of her when you have a chance to post them. Just last night we were watching a nature documentary about the Alps and the large European Golden Eagle was the highlight.
I like your B-29 comparison, Everett. Yes, I suspect Goldens are more common north of you.
I believe I have never seen a Golden Eagle in the wild. Have seen plenty of Bald Eagles. Maybe its a personal problem, but was wondering if you had any thoughts on this disparity.
Brad, there may be three reasons for it. Goldens are notoriously intolerant of humans so they prefer wild places, there are far more Balds than Goldens and perhaps you don’t spend much time in preferred Golden habitat.
Absolutely beautiful! That take off shot is wonderful…that wing spread and those feet…wow! I can only image the thrill of seeing this bird…I would love to see one some day. It makes no difference how many times I see our bald eagle I stop and watch. Waiting patiently for the ‘rest of the story’!
Thanks, Kathy. Goldens are truly magnificent raptors. They’re even larger than Bald Eagles.
“She” almost looks like she is going to start dancing. Beautiful shot!
Thanks, Cindy.