Bald Eagle - Our National Symbol - Vol. #4

Welcome to a new thread of Bald Eagle photos taken in the Mid-Atlantic states, mostly Maryland. To reiterate some of the past, it is difficult for me to comprehend that just a few years ago, I seldom saw a Bald Eagle let alone photograph one. During this time of the year, I spend every opportunity I can to be surrounded by this majestic bird. I only hope that I can do justice to their enduring presence.

To maintain continuity, here is a link to the previous thread. http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/931998/


"You cannot fly like an eagle with wings of a wren" - William James.

This message was edited Nov 18, 2009 6:48 AM

This is a photo comprised of six (6) different images. The five eagle photos were taken within a two (2) second time-frame. The photo has some noticeable flaws but I was just playing around during a lull in photo taking.

Often during the eagle's attempt to catch an unsuspecting prey, they lose it shortly after leaving the water surface. Here is a series of three photos taken in sequence of an adult Bald Eagle losing his "catch". For a photographer, that is sometimes good because that eagle or another will most likely return to capture the "damaged" prey.

Wow, Linth! I haven't been around much lately - glad to see the photos are still fabulous!

2nd shot in sequence. I suppose he is shielding his face in embarrassment that he missed his prey.

3rd photo in sequence.

He has one (a fish) in sight !!!

Thanks, Murmur. It's good to hear from you. Hope you are doing well.

Another photo of an eagle most likely searching for food .....

Great shots

Sorry, the previous photo is actually the same eagle and image as in the sequence photo #3. Sometimes you can get two photographs out of one image.

Here is a chase. It looks like the first eagle has something in his talons. The chase is on .....

Wow! Love all your shots but the sequence shot's are my favorite, wonderful picture's Linth!

Wonderful shots, Linth. Were these taken at the Conowingo Dam?

Excellent shots Linth!!

I am drooling on my keyboard...beautiful shots Linth!! Looking forward to more, more, more!!!

Incredible photos!! It looks like the bird was forming a fist with the talons after dropping the fish, just like a frustrated human would do. Great collage work too!

Wow, I'm sure anxious to see more!

Thanks, all.

Margaret, all of these were taken at the Conowingo Dam. A few shots on the previous thread were taken at the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge near Cambridge, MD.

Here's a few more eagles photographed within the last two weeks.

The chase is on, again. And as other eagles see the pursuit they often join in the chase. The end result is often a dropped fish.

Heading toward me. With a 500mm or 700mm lens, they obviously look closer to me than they really are. So, I often taken photographs of eagles that are actually too far away to obtain a decent photo. But, I shoot anyway. I can always delete them.

Another one that just made a catch and is trying to get away and find a quiet place to enjoy his dinner. Often, these photos tend to be a little blah depending on the lighting.

I take very few photos of sitting Bald Eagles. Not that I don't want to, I just see more in-flight. Here is an adult, in flight, against the blue sky also with a recent catch. The eagles catch more fish than the local fisherman.

A Sub-Adult Bald Eagle with a nice catch. He could be 2-3 year old ? Good photographers would most likely throw a lot of these photos away. They are not representative of photos that you would put on display at an art show. But they are a reminder to me of the joy I shared in their allowing me to be in their world for a few fleeting moments.

I love the chase one with the adult and immature. The first time I saw something similar, I was so excited that I forgot to snap the photos. I think I get too caught up in the screeching and chasing.

Beautiful, clear photos!

Sorry, I posted at the same time. I'm glad to see you feel the same way about your pictures. With my lack of experience or knowledge of my camera, I'm just glad to be able to get a picture that's half as clear as yours are.

Thanks, duc but your photos ARE clear. You just need to get closer to the eagles. I told you to hang some fish off of your deck (lol).

Here's a photo at about 800 feet. They often sit on this wall. I've seen as many as 17 sitting there at one time. I could get a little closer to this location but haven't tried, to date.

Another chase underway ......

Not the most scenic photo but does reflect some of the surroundings.

This is about 2,500 feet from me. I don't show many of these photos for obvious reasons. But this is where they hang out when they are in a rest mode.

Sort of mean looking as he heads toward me.

Nice wing-spread. Nice fish.

Same eagle. The problem with many of these photos is the dark underside. I suppose some of the flash units out there would reach out far enough as they fly nearby.

Time for lunch, be back later .........

Linth, you're going to laugh when I do hang those fish on the deck!!

Are you noticing the eagles are more active when it's windy or about to storm-besides the normal feeding times? Our birds seem to just soar in the thermals more when we get the wind.

Great pictures. Here I am hoping for a 400 mm lens and you're using those giants!

Beautiful pics Linth!

With all the birds in the distance do you see many people digiscoping?

duc, I'll laugh when I see the photo of the fish hanging from your deck ! I can't say I noticed any difference in their flight behavior. However, I know that when the wind is blowing, I miss more shots as their flight pattern becomes more unpredictable. Actually you don't need more than a 400mm lens. You can always add a 1.4x teleconverter. The other day, I was at 700mm and seven Bald Eagles were involved in a fight/chase right in front of me. I got zero photos.

pelle, to be honest, I don't recall seeing anyone digiscoping at Conowingo. I doubt that serious photographers ever digiscope. That seems to be used only by serious birders that are just trying to get a photo good enough to help them with identification, especially at a long distance.

The next three photos were taken with tree branches between me and the Bald Eagle. He has a nice fish in his talons.

2nd shot through the tree branches .......

Third photo before it disappeared from sight ..........

Sorry, I duplicated the photo. I'm surprised I don't do more of that. Here's the correct photo ......

Lift off !!!

Look out overhead .......

Touch Down !!!

A successful hunt .........