Bald Eagle - Our National Symbol - Vol. #2

Well I am trying to post another photo on here tonight but for some reason I can't get the picture on here like I did last night. Not sure if I need to reboot this computer perhaps.

Photos on both eagle threads are absolutley awesome. I have loved seeing them.

Well I have had a great time and photo show looking through eagle threads one and two now. Sure makes me want to get out there and get some current shots. But since no one has posted any new eagle photos on here today I thought I would share another one from last year. Where I live there is a spot I know of where I can get very very close to the ealges as they perch in the trees right by the Mississippi. I never get up close enough to cause them to fly off however as they are conserving their energy when not fishing just to survive through the winter. They do not need to fly and exercise for me although I have several older photos of that too. Sitting pretty works awesome as well.

Ok third times is a charm I think here it is after a reboot.

ooo, lunch!

Glo, one thing to remember is that you can't post an image if it has the same name as one you already posted. You also have to enter something in the message box. But sounds like a reboot solved your problem.

Real nice one glo!

Yes I think it was a reboot problem. Then it posted just fine.

Nice photo glo. I would sure like to get some photos with snow in the picture.

I take whatever I can get, i.e. sitting, flying, fishing, etc. They can all make great photos with proper lighting. But, I spend a lot of time specifically trying to capture eagles fishing. There is something special about watching and/or photographing them catch a fish. I take a lot of photos but I also miss a lot of opportunities. When they decide to go into a dive, it can be hard to pick them up in the viewfinder and then lock in the focus. I love the challenge but the challenge can also prove frustrating. But that's what keeps me going back.

Here's a photo taken on 11-10-08. Note the red band on his leg, with fish in his talons.

NICE! I can't even imagine trying to get a bird in flight in focus!

This was the easiest photo that I have ever taken of a Bald Eagle. I got so close that I could actually reach out and touch it.

Okay, it is a mounted Bald Eagle, as part of a display, inside the visitor center at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. As I mentioned, I'll take whatever photos I can get !

now THAT is a subject on which I could focus!

See, Mrs_Ed, you just have to find cooperative subjects ......

For anyone that missed the PBS broadcast of the 'American Eagle', you can watch the full episode at the PBS website.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/american-eagle/video-full-episode/4349/

Thanks for the link Linth...I want to see the the full episode, it was really informative.

I am enjoying this thread and admire the shots you are getting...that last inflight is awesome!

I recorded it but haven't watched it yet

Took a ride over to the Sunset Marina not too far at all from where I live. Walked the dog. Enjoy the sights and sounds of gulls, canada geese, a flock of pelicans and last but nto at all least I saw my first Bald Eagle perched in a tree close enough to get some half way decent photos.

Here is another kind of unique capture. :) I hope he isn't laughing at me.

And I will call this one "The eyes have it."

glo77 that 2nd pic does look like he's having a hoot over something. Great pic! Thanks for sharing.

Very nice pics glo!

fine photos, glo ....... I'm still thawing out from a day on the outside. Although not windy, it was still quite cold. The eagles weren't overly cooperative today, staying some distance away. But I still got a couple of okay shots.

From one standing position this morning, we were able to count 64 Bald Eagles and we probably missed a few.

You Northern birdwatchers continue to amaze me! If I still lived up North, birdwatching would be a seasonal hobby! We have had some colder weather here lately and I went out for the first time in almost a week yesterday to take pics. Nice work!

As I mentioned, many of these eagles just sit around or move from one rock to another. Here's a photo of 7 of the 64 bald eagles that I mentioned. It's at least 1,000 feet from camera to the eagles. This photo was taken at 700mm, aperture priority of f/8 and I was experimenting with a higher ISO setting of 800. 1,000 feet is just too far to get a good photo of even a large bird.

If you recall, on some previous photos, I noted red bands and blue bands on a few eagles. I was told by an informed individual that the blue tagged eagles are from New York and the red tagged eagles are from Maine.

Here's a few more, with a shadow .......

A little closer but at a 100% crop .............

Off in the distance, an immature Bald Eagle is being harassed by a couple of crows. I find it amusing to watch some of these smaller birds chasing a Bald Eagle.

Another one from yesterday ........... with a nice catch !

Same eagle ......... w/ wings spread.

This was taken slightly before the other two as he was approaching ............

Love the one with the shadow that has eagles at various stages lined up..that is cool!

Great photos Lithicum. I did a little bird watching today too.

There is a Lock and Dam about 45 mins from my house where hundreds of eagles will find food mid Dec til mid Feb or so. They get the fish that have been stunned as they pass through the dam. Here is a photos of what the trees across the river look like as far as the eye can see.

All of those black and those with white heads are Bald Eagles. Some adults some immatures. There were a guestimated 500 plus there on this particular day. An eagle counter was there while I was taking the count. They are too far away to get good pictures of but you can certainly tell what they are and the countless numbers that are there.

holy cow! Which lock is that?

Lock and Dam 13 Fulton Illinois. You are closer than I am too it. Meet ya up there some time this winter..what do you say?

glo, nice photo(s). You sure can see all of the bald eagles. Isn't it fantastic how they are making a recovery ? To think that several years ago, I had never seen a Bald Eagle, in the wild.

Are you unable to get any closer ? Are you planning to attend the big gala on January 9-10 at the Expo Center ?

YUP, you bet Glo! I've always wondered how to get there off of rt. 30.

OK Mrs Ed Its a date. We'll get you there when the time comes.

Linthicum no I don't go to Eagle Days at the expo as well they do have a nice indoor chow and take a bus around to a couple of spots but to be honest with you they don't go to the spots I go to and don't see nearly the eagles up close as I do.

At the lock and Dam no you can't get closer to that side of the river but they soar over closer to where you can view and I will get some nice photos of soaring and fishing. Not what you can get at least not til Santa saves some big bucks and maybe brings some new glass in a year or two. Got to pay for the cam and glass I have now first although I may rent a 100-400 lens to take to Fulton with me when I go if I can find one available.

Here's a few more from yesterday ...........

Another .............

And, another .......

A nice adult against the bright blue sky ........

Follow this link for a journey to Homer, Alaska and enjoy a different way to showcase one's eagle photos. Woody Dawson is probably the most frequent visitor at the Conowingo Dam and I consider him my personal "expert".

Homer, Alaska is the place, for at least a short time. The Eagle Lady, Jean Keene, age 85, has permission to feed the eagles until 2010. She was granted a special exception to a ban imposed on feeding bald eagles within the Homer city limits.

http://www.woodyseagles.com/10.html

Another adult against the blue sky ......

I have The Eagle Lady's book. I certainly hope that as long as that lady lives they allow her to feed those eagles she has grown to love to care for, for so many years. I can not imagine the personal pain of being told she can no longer do that after 2010 and watching them come to wait for her and not be allowed to feed them. Once she has passed they can change whatever laws they see fit however they see fit but I personally hope there is no change in 2010. JMHO