Flying low over the sagebrush and snow.
1/6400, f/5.6, ISO 500, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Readers will recall that a month ago I came across a couple of Bald Eagles feeding on a presumed carcass that I couldn’t see and back then I posted several photos of one of them, This is the same bird, but all five of these photos are new to my blog. They’re posted in the order they were taken but there are some skips.
1/6400, f/5.6, ISO 500, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
In this series “she” was flying toward the carcass so she was hugging the ground in flight.
1/6400, f/5.6, ISO 500, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Curled primaries always get my attention and here we have lots of them, on both wings.
1/6400, f/5.6, ISO 500, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
In this shot the top of her head and neck is in shadow but I like the wing position.
1/6400, f/5.6, ISO 500, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
It may look like some of these photos need rotation to make them level but that’s really not the case. She was flying over low, rolling hills so the angle of the snow lines varied considerably from shot to shot.
After a couple of months of consistently dreary, snowy weather I’m finally beginning to feel optimistic about our forecast and future shooting conditions regarding light. For the first time in many weeks I’m seeing some “mostly sunny” days in our long term forecast, beginning next week.
I’ve lived in northern Utah full time for 56 years and without question this has been the snowiest, dreariest and most depressing winter of them all.
It isn’t even a horse race.
Ron
Note:
To give you an idea of how much snow we’ve had, yesterday Alta Ski Resort reported having had over 800″ of snow this winter – a new record. I live in Murray, 23 miles from Alta.
Sensational series Ron, thanks for shaaring!
Charlotte Norton
Thanks for the ISS link — talk about putting things in perspective. Here’s to a break in the weather! Had (fortunately small) hail hit the house on Thursday.
Thank you also for the lovely Bald Eagle shots. Yesterday, I was getting on the freeway by the regional park and a huge Red Tail swooped in and landed on the greenway next to the onramp. Stunning tail all fanned out and wings set for maximum drag. I almost slammed on the breaks to get a better look and I definitely wished I had you and your camera riding “shotgun!”
That red tail will get your attention, won’t it Marty. Especially when it’s flared in flight and in good light.
Dammit. I commented and forgot to hit publish.
That video was mesmerising. I suspect you posted it first while I was hunkered down feeling sorry for myself. I am grateful you posted it again.
Love the curled primaries as the eagle heads back to the carcass for a second (or third) helping.
I do hope that your belated Spring puts in an appearance – and hangs around.
Thanks, EC. I’m glad you got to see the video. And that you enjoyed it.
It’s been a month and she still hasn’t cleaned the blood from her beak.😁
To paraphrase the song : “I’ve looked at wings from both sides now, from up and down…”. Could be a worse ear worm.
Can’t pick a best one. They’re all wonderful wing displays.
Looked at the ISS video again. I think the patterns on the mountains are fascinating.
Lyle, I’ve gone back to watch that video at least a half dozen times since I included the link in that post.
Here’s the link again, for anyone who may have missed it the first time:
https://twitter.com/ISSAboveYou/status/1631335444205178880?s=20&fbclid=IwAR2Ij9QJaYZPaGNOEbA8q-gaq3NxAG7EdV-WS924fjlr87Uq2V7gMFcOvsQ
Lovely shots, all! Curled primaries rock.
Here in Northern CA, the winter has been – awful. At 3000 feet we had 4 feet of snow, the piles under our steep roof were over the tops of the windows. We couldn’t get our all-wheel drive vehicles out – the shop roof collapsed and we are still unsure if my husband electric saws survived the 3 feet of snow in the building. I shoveled till I got bursitis and my husband couldn’t keep away from the work and got a heart attack. I have never felt so helpless. It’s April 1, and in two days we are due another snow storm.
Geez, that sounds awful, Sallie. I hope your husband is doing OK!
Sending healing vibes to your husband, Sallie. Wish I could do more. Our SoCal mountains are in the same condition. Hope Monday’s storm is easy on all of us. 💜
Excellent shots all. Do you know what the curled primaries represent? Slowing down, turning, stopping, etc?
We have had the same kind of winter and early spring. Really looking forward to some sunshine. Of course here in Arizona we can never complain about the amount of precipitation we have had.
Today is my 85th April Fools Day birthday.
“Do you know what the curled primaries represent?”
Everett, in that shot the primaries curled due to air resisance resulting from the wing downbeat.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday Everett!
Happy Birthday, Everett! Woot! Woot! 🌈🎈🎂
Beautiful series, Ron. 🙂
In our wildest dreams we wish we were treking through snow……. 😉 Southern/South Western part of the state they share your feelings! Glad the GSL is going to benefit anyway.
One lone Robin so far and the Gold Finches that wintered are changing colors plus a few waterfowl pairing off. Suspect the weather to the S is stalling migrations.
“Southern/South Western part of the state they share your feelings!”
Judy, I’ve been wondering how the Centennial Valley was faring. Sounds like they’ve been getting some snow then?
Bozeman west and down into Idaho have been getting quite a bit – I-15 south bound from Dillon down into Idaho has been closed several times. Cousin in St. Anthony, ID has gotten/continues to get quite a bit.
Thanks for that report. I hope you get more soon.
Totally agree about this winter! Yesterday was so bizarre. The sun came out, but it was still snowing pretty hard. Big wet flakes. Then the snow stopped, the sun stayed, and I was thinking the storm had passed. Then suddenly, the bleak midwinter pall descended with more snow—-looking like a blizzard. I had some accumulation of snow on pavements early in the morning, but it all melted. There was a ton of water running in the gutters down the hill. I am preparing for some serious run-off as the temperatures go up (I hope) soon.
I am really grumpy about it; could’ve been that old lady in the parking lot.
“could’ve been that old lady in the parking lot.”
I wish it HAD been you, Sue. Then we could have grumped in unison. We’ve done that before so it would have been like old times… 🙂
It has been a standout winter for sure.
All great shots, but that curled primary one…yep that’s the one.
Very often when I look at your photos I try picturing in my head I how you shoot these photos using such a large lens while sitting in a truck. It’s one thing to get a single shot, and quite another to pan and shoot a series. Someone should do a documentary on Ron Dudley and his passion for bird photography. I’d lineup to watch that.
“It’s one thing to get a single shot, and quite another to pan and shoot a series”
Truth be told Michael, the R5 gets some of the credit for that.
As for your proposed documentary, I’m afraid it’d be pretty boring. Bird photography involves a lot of sitting and waiting, at least it does the way I do it.
“Bird photography involves a lot of sitting and waiting, at least it does the way I do it.”
So are a lot of other great things that involve an investment of time. All that can be compressed with the magic of editing. Might still be boring to a lot of folks, but pure beauty to others.
I agree with your “ranking” of this winter in Utah–I’ve spent most of my adult life here, and have NEVER felt so depressed ( I was afraid it was only me ).
Everyone I know is remarking how thrilled they are to see sunlight and blue sky.
I’m so happy for you to be able to look forward to being outside with plenty of
beautiful photo opportunities to come–go get ’em, Ron !
You’re far from the only one, Kris. Everyone seems to be getting grumpy about it, including an old lady, a stranger, I met in the grocery store parking lot a couple of days ago. As we walked by each other she sarcastically wished me “Happy Spring” as she trudged through the snow to get into the store.