I haven’t seen a Golden Eagle on Antelope Island for many months but yesterday there were two of them and they seemed like good buddies.
The shooting conditions couldn’t have been much worse. It was quite dark, heavily overcast and snowing intermittently so these images have been shot at high ISO’s and many of them have high key backgrounds. My goal with this post is simply to document the encounter. After all, they were Golden Eagles!
1/1000, f/7.1, ISO 1600, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
It was a huge surprise when I first encountered the birds directly in front of me. They were relatively accepting of my vehicle for Golden Eagles but I didn’t like this bright background so I tried to…
1/1000, f/7.1, ISO 1600, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
maneuver into a position with a different backdrop and better light but when I did I could only see part of the birds through the rocks.
1/1600, f/6.3, ISO 1600, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
When they flew off I eventually encountered one of them again on a far away hilltop.
1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 1600, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I spent quite a while with this bird as the shooting conditions deteriorated (as you can see there’s now snow falling between me and the eagle). Soon a magpie flew in and impudently perched on the tree at upper left. At this point I didn’t know where the second eagle was but…
1/1600, f/6.3, ISO 1600, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
it apparently took exception to the magpie and flew in to displace it from its perch.
1/800, f/8, ISO 1600, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
The second eagle was unstable on its perch and several times it struggled to maintain its balance.
1/1250, f/8, ISO 1600, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Some time later it took off…
1/1000, f/8, ISO 1600, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
and I was able to get quite a few shots of it as it …
1/800, f/8, ISO 1600, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
flew down the hill. The other eagle soon followed and I wasn’t sure where they went.
1/800, f/8, ISO 1600, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
But eventually I was surprised to find them again on their original rock perch. I couldn’t see them until I came around some other obscuring boulders (out of focus at lower left) so I was still moving when I took this shot and as a result the bird isn’t as sharp as it could be. I missed focus completely as the bird actually took off when my pickup rocked backward when I stopped.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 1600, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
These birds stayed in the same general area for much of the morning but they were always near sagebrush, probably because they were hunting rabbits that were using it for cover. Most of the time they were far away and I only had distant views of them like this one.
Dang, I’m glad to see Golden Eagles on the island again! I hope they hang around all winter. And thrive! From following reports from Hawkwatch International I know that Golden Eagles in our region have really been struggling in recent years due to issues apparently related to invasive cheatgrass and lack of prey.
And who knows, maybe one day I’ll get some better shots of them.
Ron
Beautiful images.
Awesome Series Ron!
Thrilling, Ron! Your excitement and awe are so well expressed and totally contagious. What makes your blog so spectacular is not just the beauty and art of your photographs but – especially this – your love for the birds and their wild lives. The series where #2 tries to balance on a puny brushy branch, then takes off and flies low over the snowy scrub, shows the size and power of these magnificent creatures. Thank you!
That word “contagious” is something I like to hear, Betsy. Nature in general and birds in particular are so at risk (and that includes us) that the more folks that appreciate both, the better…
No apologies necessary for these wonderful images, and I share your joy about eagles on the island. I’m pretty sure there was a mated pair on the south end this past year, but I can’t recall if they pulled off a successful nesting effort. Maybe it’s the same two birds. So cool to see them at a lower elevation! Great shots.
Thanks, Mike. I looked for these birds today but struck out. There was about 7″ of new snow out there so maybe that affected their location somehow. Still lots of rabbits in the snow where these birds were yesterday but as you know they tend to wander just a bit…
That 7D Mark II seems to be working out pretty well for you. Attractingbig raptors, too. Excellent work and discussion as always, Ron. Happy New Year.
Same to you and Nancy, WC. I still don’t have the Mark II figured out. One day I love it, the next day I don’t…
I’ve never seen one Ron. Your photos make me feel that I have thanks
Good! That’s part of the reason why I post, Diana.
WHAT a privilege to see. Not only would I be happy to have access to your discard pile of photos I envy you the images stored in your heart and mind.
My discard pile is huge, EC. It’d take you an eternity just to go through them and I added significantly to the pile this morning…
Splendid series of images, and I noticed that your ISO’s are much higher with the 7DMkII vs. the 7D. Is the 7DMkII noise that much less than the 7D where you rarely went beyond ISO 800?
Yes, noise management at higher ISO’s is significantly better on the Mark II than it is on the 7D, AR.
Ron—you almost always provide great tutorials on bird anatomy , and today , the 7th photo on your post provided a grand illustration of the awe-inspiring power of the Golden’s legs–hanging relaxed
as they are in the photo , one can just imagine what feats they can perform when called upon —body-builders, eat your hearts out !
Kris, I have other photos that show those impressive dangling legs, possibly even better. I’ll have to look at them more closely.
I never noticed what huge legs they have before. Thanks for pointing it out.
I am one of those who have never seen a Golden Eagle in person. They are so beautiful. These are great pictures. I like the one where the one Eagle is trying to perch on that too small twig. I would guess that these two are a couple because one is larger than the other. Maybe you will get a chance to see their babies.
I suppose they could be a mated pair, Debbie. I just don’t know and I didn’t see them on the island this morning.
Absolutely Awesome!! Thanks Ron
Thank you, Steve.
Here in central Florida, Bald Eagles are nesting and we have an influx of northern Bald Eagles who remain here throughout the winter. Watching these magnificent raptors soar, hunt, court, build nests and survive is awe-inspiring. Although I’m over 2,000 miles away, viewing your images of the Golden Eagles this morning has been just as awe-inspiring! What a fantastic opportunity you were able to take advantage of!
Ain’t it amazing how serendipity favors those who work hard and are prepared?
Agreed, Wally – both eagle species are simply magnificent. Thank you very much.
I am in heaven with these pictures, Ron. My eyes going from one pic to the other, over and over again. You are so lucky to be so close to them, and how they seem to watch you yet at the same time understand you and your camera are not a threat. There is something about the Golden Eagles, something mystical and magical and demanding of attention from the rest of the world. Their legends go way back. Wow, wow, wow. Bless you for sharing your adventures and pics. I wonder what the percentage is of people who never get to see a real Golden live in their lifetimes, and would have no knowledge of them if it were not for photographers like you? I am so jealous!
Thanks very much, Dianne. Yes, there’s something (many things) that are very special about Golden Eagles.
Nice shots of the Golden Eagles Ron. I like the second to last one, where the eagle is crouched forward the best. For me, Golden Eagles, are “photon traps”, like Bison, where I have difficulty exposing to capture the true shades of color on the bird. You have shown me that it is possible to capture that! Thanks.
“Photon traps”.
Good way to put it, Ed. Yep, bison are difficult too, as was demonstrated to me once again this morning.
They may not be your best photographs, but it’s wonderful that you saw them and that we got to share in that pleasure. Glad to hear they were back on Antelope Island.
“Glad to hear they were back on Antelope Island”
Me too, Susan!
Gorgeous birds. I particularly liked the in flight ones.
Thanks, Arwen.
Magnificent bird! Wonderful series Ron, even though the shots are not as great as you would like, I really like them! Have you ever seen them hunt? I was fortunate, only once, to see a Golden catch a rabbit. They are such marvelous hunters and they well deserve our admiration!
Thanks, Dick. I didn’t see these birds actually hunting but a couple of months ago I did see a Golden go after a rabbit out in the west desert. They both went behind some trees at the last moment so I didn’t actually see if the eagle was successful or not but based on what I did see I wouldn’t give a plugged nickel for the chances the rabbit survived.
The excitement and the sense of wonder show through in this magnificent series. I’m thrilled to see it. Thanks so much!
And I was thrilled to see THEM, Alison. Thanks.
No matter the weather it is always a beautiful day when you can see a Golden. But you got a double treat. As always thanks for sharing!
“No matter the weather it is always a beautiful day when you can see a Golden”.
I couldn’t have put it better myself, Mark.
What a wonderful find! You certainly made the best of difficult conditions Ron! You managed to get some great shots.
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.