Very few Bald Eagles remain in Utah during summer so I almost never see them in that season except on my Montana camping trips. Last week we found this adult perched high atop a power pole in a pretty little valley near Lima, Montana. We call this valley “David’s Valley” in honor of the town’s mayor, a friendly gentleman who we often encounter on the dirt roads as we’re looking for birds and he is moving about as he attends to his agricultural duties. David has become a good friend over the years and we look forward to seeing him each trip. He has even advised us on locating birds to photograph.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
This bird came off of the unusually high pole very steeply and in most of my early shots of the dive there were wires or other unpleasant elements in the background so I deleted them. But I was able to get this shot and a few others as it leveled out and powered across the valley. Though the background might look like dark sky with clouds it’s actually the low mountains on the far side of the valley. I like the curled wings with well-defined flight feathers, the background and the purposeful look of the eagle as it works to gain flight speed.
Unless I make a fall trip to Flaming Gorge I’m unlikely to see another Bald Eagle until our wintering birds return from up north so I was happy to photograph this adult and a couple of juveniles while in my home state of Montana.
Ron
Hi! Great photo of the Eagle! Love it! Have a great day in the morning!
I would hate to be the subject of that determined gaze. Or feel those talons… Love the shot though.
Thank you, Elephant’s Child.
You are the guru of bird photography! This eagle photograph should be the nation’s symbol….not the stationary one sitting on a pole. :o) Ron, what is the lens you use the most….your go-to lens for catching birds in flight?
Thanks very much, Cheryl. I nearly always use the Canon EF500mm f/4L IS ll lens for birds in flight. I usually post the gear I’m using in the techs below the photo.
What a beautiful shot !
Thank you, Jenny.
Ron, as usual you have outdone yourself. Beautiful image! I am on my way end of December to Conawego Dam, Maryland to shot the bald eagles this year. I also am waiting for the new 7D Mark II, have already paid for it and expecting it end of October or beginning of November. Supposed to be improved noise control and better tracking and faster focus. Thanks for sharing your images.
Rich, I have my Mark ll reserved at my local dealer with money down. I’m looking forward to a lot of things with it, particularly faster and more accurate autofocus and the 10 frames/sec burst rate. If the ISO performance is significantly improved that’ll be a bonus. Good luck with the eagles in Maryland!
What a sensational shot Ron! You are truly talented! Thanks for sharing your talent with us!
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.
He really means business!!! Those are some mighty impressive talons! This is an incredible shot…you amaze me day after day!!! Beautiful…..
Patty, yes, the eye is drawn to those remarkable talons even though they’re in shade. Thank you very much for the kind words.
Talk about intentionality! That is one focused eagle and a magnificent shot. I wish I had a tenth of his (and your) focus! 🙂
I agree, Alison – this looks like a bird on a mission! As for “my focus”, it locked on to the bird here but there are plenty of examples where it doesn’t with birds in flight. I’m hoping that the new Canon 7D Mark ll which is scheduled for release in November improves my focusing track record for flight shots…