This post is all about abject failure and mediocre (at best) images. But it’s also about the incredible excitement of bird photography.
As a bird photographer I have several nemesis birds but the Golden Eagle has been at the top of that list for a very long time. I’ve had multiple opportunities with them but each time something has gone wrong that prevented me from getting really nice images I’ll admit that they have become a bit of an obsession. I’d rather succeed with them than I would with most any other bird, including Snowy Owls. About the only species that might supersede the Golden Eagle on my “excellent shot wish list” might be the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. And I’m only kidding a little about that…
So each time we head for Montana I’m on the lookout for Golden Eagles and I had two very good chances with them on this last trip a couple of weeks ago. Here’s how it turned out…
Mia spotted this one on our left as I drove east toward “David’s Valley”. It was in a setting I like but it was too far away for quality perched shots and it was sidelit. I had to make a split-second decision – stop where I was and go for low quality perched images or continue forward before stopping and gamble on take-off shots with a better light angle. I made the wrong decision and stopped where I was.
Almost immediately the eagle took off but it was a little too far away and I had no light in the face or eye (just look at the size of that right wing and it’s not even fully extended!). To make things worse, a second eagle that we hadn’t seen took off about the same time from nearby rocks. I got five other sharp shots of this bird right after take-off but they all had the same problems as this one. If I had continued forward before stopping and the bird had curled around after take-off like it actually did we would both have had an excellent chance for closer flight shots of this eagle in good light.
After the eagle curled around it flew right over the top of my pickup but it was still in poor light and it was too late in the morning for quality flight shots at this angle. To give you an idea how close it was, I’ve left this image uncropped – it’s full frame.
I’ll never forget what Mia said a while later as we drove back down the valley in dejection and approached this same area, and I quote: “When we go past the spot where those eagles were I think I’m going to throw up”. I felt the same way.
Four days later we had another chance with Golden Eagles and I blew that opportunity too. Prepare yourself for a couple of crappy images to illustrate…
I was driving north on I-15 in a rural area to explore some new country when Mia again spotted two Golden Eagles feeding on road kill in the middle of another road running very close and parallel to the freeway. I took the next exit and came back on that road to see what turned up. The eagles were backlit on the road so I passed them to get better light which forced the birds to fly. My intention was to hopefully get a few shots off and then to drag the raccoon carcass off the road so there’d be less chance that the eagles would be injured by vehicles.
One eagle flew off to a power pole but the other landed much closer to the road on a fence post. In order to shoot out my window I had to angle to the far side of the road which put me partially in the wrong (illegal) lane but I could see a long ways in each direction and there was no traffic so I took a chance. But I never got any sharp shots of the perched bird as I’d left the engine running for a quick getaway and I really struggled shooting vertically with the angle out the window and spent more time watching for traffic and cops than I did looking through the viewfinder. In 51 years of driving I’ve only had two tickets – a speeding ticket in 1973 and one for “crossing the gore line” about 9 years ago. I had no interest in running my ticket number to 3 but dang I sure wanted some decent Golden Eagle shots…
The only thing that makes me feel better about the abominable image quality of this shot is the fact that there were ugly railroad tracks in the background.
Soon both eagles were on top of the power pole (there was actually a third eagle that flew off to some cliffs out of frame to the left) but again they were sidelit and besides I never got any really sharp shots of them. I’m not sure why – perhaps it was my running engine but if it was I haven’t had that much trouble with it before.
I’ll bet some of you saw this coming – there I was straddled across the left lane on a deserted road with my engine running and two huge lenses stuck out the window when a Highway Patrolman with lights flashing pulled up behind me. I believe he saw me from the freeway and turned around to nab me. Resigned to ticket #3 I put my figurative tail between my legs and waited for the inevitable. But the officer let me off with a gentle lecture and verbal warning.
Thank you Trooper Mitch Voss. You were professional, courteous and even friendly and you gave me a much-appreciated break. And as I drove away, lesson learned, I had an even warmer feeling toward my home state of Montana than I usually do.
Ron
You WILL get those shots. You are as stubborn as stains, and incredibly patient (where your obsession are concerned anyway). And there are many Golden Eagles filed in your heart already…
And that is a HUGE wing. Thank you.
Glad that you avoided that ticket too – a good omen.
You tell such great stories! Very glad the officer let you off.
Thank you, Arwen. My mother used to tell me that when I was a little kid and I don’t think she meant it as a compliment…
Someone, somewhere is testing you. But I am sure you’ll get your Golden Eagle someday.You deserve it.
And thank you for letting me know that I am not alone when everything seems to be right (the light on the subject, the aperture, the speed,ISO)and yet the shots come out blurry. It is a good feeling especially when we are doing the first steps into this field (bird photography).
Jorge, usually when I unexpectedly get soft shots it’s caused by one of two things: 1, operator error where I’ve left the limiter on my lens set where it shouldn’t be but it’s so close to the “limit” that I don’t see that the bird is slightly soft through my viewfinder or 2, there’s very little contrast difference between the bird and the background (especially in low light). AF has a difficult time locking on in those conditions. But very occasionally it happens and I have no explanation for it.
Thinking of what I usually do probably it is the first one that you’ve mentioned.
I can’t wait to see your post about tips and tricks when using a car as a mobile blind. I am sure it will be very very useful.
Many thanks.
I’m sorry you weren’t able to get the shots you wanted. I am just in awe of the fact that you saw them, out there in the wild with your own two eyes. You saw them fly!! I think the pictures are wonderful and appreciate being able to see them.
“I am just in awe of the fact that you saw them, out there in the wild with your own two eyes. You saw them fly!!”
Your words tell me that you feel the same way about Golden Eagles as I do, Leisa. They’re simply awesome birds and that’s a word that I (by design) almost never use.
You forgot to pack the omniscience. That should be the first thing you put into your camera bag. Then you would know exactly where to stop for the photos and when the patrol car will appear.
Geez, Dave, you’re right. I always leave that darned stuff behind…
Ron:
We have a limited amount of this stuff in our household … and Betty never lets me use any of it.
Your suggestion about “using your noodle” has been very helpful. One of my problems ( and frustrations) has been the darned sideview mirror…there always in the way….I wish they made ones you could bend down out of the way! (I would LOVE to get a shot of one of those damned thing taking off!!! How the heck do you guys handle them????
Patty, the side mirrors on my pickup are huge (trailer-pulling types) and the one on the driver’s side as a pain in the patoot for photography but thankfully it can be pushed all the way forward and nearly completely out of the way. I’m hoping to do a blog post soon covering some tips and tricks of using your vehicle as a mobile blind and it will include a photo that illustrates what I’m talking about, among many other things…
At least you and Mia saw one…actually three of them…They are almost never seen here in the east. I ALMOST had the opportunity last year, but lost out at the last minute due to the rehabber’s decision not to allow me to…I can’t tell you how disappointed I was…as was my friend , who saved the bird in the first place. I was doing a watercolor of the bird, a juvenile (from a photo) and wanted to verify details. They are my favorite eagle by far, so much “finer” than the baldies…and one of my favorite raptors. I used to see so many in South Dakota, esp. On the Pine Ridge Rez, and in Colorado… even have had eagle escorts at times….I really miss them and am greatful you at least got these images to share…better luck next time! It was in trying to find information on age-related eye color that I discovered your blog…and finally got the information I’d been trying to get for a couple of years..Thank you, Wambli!!!
I remember that story about how you discovered my blog, Patty. Sure glad you did.
While the shots may not be up to “the Ron standards” they are really great!
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.
To see Golden Eagles, especially twice, is wonderful. Even though these aren’t the greatest shots, it is still nice to get to see them. I’m glad you posted them – and that you didn’t get a ticket!
You’re exactly right, Susan – just seeing them is always a huge thrill and it doesn’t happen very often. Actually on a different day we saw two more of them on this trip but it may have been two of the three birds in the first shots of this post.
Ah, the thrill of the challenge – transcending all obstacles and traffic lines! I’ll send some good wishes in Mitch Voss’s for his support of the quest for excellence! A kindness not forgotten.
Brings to mind my uncle’s recollection (at the ripe age of 96) of how his grandmother, Laura Savory Wing, was pulled over by a trooper for practicing her braking skills on the New Jersey Turnpike. Also let off with a warning and a suggestion to practice braking elsewhere. Uncle Lonny never forgot the kindness or the name of the the trooper – Norman Schwarzkopf (senior).
“the thrill of the challenge” – ahh yes, Alison but there’s also the agony of defeat.
That’s a fascinating story about Norm Schwarzkopf’s father – thanks for sharing it.
What a relief not to get a ticket. ALRIGHT for Trooper Mitch Voss! But, he should have apologized for interrupting your shooting!! Or asked, “Did you get a good shot?” Just kidding!
Quite a story Ron, much enjoyed!
However, YOU will get your bird, I’m convinced that you will have your day!
I hope it happens sooner rather than later, Dick. I’ve already waited a very long time for it to happen. Thanks for your confidence in me.
Hi Ron,
Thanks for sharing this. These birds are notoriously challenging to photograph and it is one of the species for which we lack great images in our library. I am happy to hear the trooper was understanding!
Great shots, considering the circumstances!
Cheers,
Gail Garber
Me too, Gail. Me too!