Anyone who follows this blog knows that I have a penchant for raptors and over the last 6 years of photographing them I can count on one hand the number of good opportunities I’ve had with Golden Eagles. I had another chance at one yesterday on Antelope Island. I almost didn’t spot this bird because it was hunkered down so far in the sagebrush (here it is standing more erect in anticipation of flight).
1/1600, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
I knew that my only chance for a few decent images would be at take-off or just after but the angle of light was a problem – the bird was facing almost directly into the sun. If it veered to its right I’d get butt shots and probably lose the head behind the wings. If it turned to its left the face would be in shadow and I’d get no catch light. What can you do but wait, be ready for lift-off and hope for the best from a less than ideal situation?
1/1250, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
Thankfully the eagle launched straight ahead which gave me the best light I could hope for under the circumstances.
1/1250, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
For the first wing-beat I got light on the head and a catch light in two images – then the bird turned slightly toward me and that light was lost. I got several more sharp shots with dynamic flight poses but the face was completely shaded. Curses !!!
I particularly like the good look at the golden crown and nape in this photo.
If the sun had been more behind me I think I might have nailed quite a few flight shots that would have vanquished my nemesis. As it turned out I got two fairly good images that are better than anything I have in my files on the species. So the way I look at it I’m making progress but my nemesis quest continues…
Ron
Beautiful bird and setting! Very nice to see a GE against a sage backdrop rather than blue sky.
What I like most about that last image is that it captures the full majesty of those enormous wings. Awesome!
Wow. I think I should just paste Wow into the comment section everytime you put a post up. The raptors are such amazing birds and so difficult to get close enough to take a meaningful photograph. Thank you so much (again) for these shots.
You should visit to Wayne county, they are all over the place, eating roadkill and sometimes getting hit by cars. We had a nesting pair of Bald eagles in Teasdale for several winters until the male got electrocuted. There are still Balds but they have not had the same nesting success. Goldens nest, too, and there are sometimes half a dozen or so gathered on a carcass or in a field. Excellent pics!
Tana, I’ve spent a quite a bit of time in Wayne county but it’s always been during spring or summer and I haven’t seen many eagles then. Perhaps I should try for winter…
I would say that all in all you still got some very good shots. My nemesis is the Northern Harrier, it seems that I am forever missing opportunities to catch a good shot of one. It seems that every time my ship comes in, I am at the airport. 🙂
Ron, I recognize the combination of skill, talent and serendipity that was needed for these shots. It’s almost miraculous. There’s nothing quite like having the ideal circumstances, and then the wrong light. Or in my case, the right circumstances on a day when I was too lazy to carry my tele to the grocery store (a missed Peregrine in the parking lot chasing pigeons). This is such a beautiful series and really shows the coloration nuances. I’m especially fond of the first shot, even though the eagle hadn’t yet flown. I think it’s the gentleness of the surrounding colors, embracing the hard-edged beak and talons of a large raptor. Just perfect.
Thank you Ingrid. I like the first shot also – even though much of the bird is obscurred it certainly shows the habitat of these magnificent raptors.
Absolutely amazing, Ron. I LOVE these raptors. I had a chance at 2 a year ago on the side of Hwy 6 half way up S.F. Canyon. They were on a deer carcass. I could only get within about 100 yds and they never gave me and my cheap 300mm the right shot. LOVE seeing them though. Absolute evidence that birds evolved from their dinosaur ancestors.
Thanks Wade, and I well know what you mean by missed opportunities with these eagles. Last year I came across one fighting with two ravens right next to a road, very close and in good light. Slight problem – I was pulling a trailer and there was a car behind me so I couldn’t stop safely. To this day I curse that car and driver (knowing full well that’s unfair)!