Golden Eagles are my #1 photographic quarry, bar none. I’d rather get a magnificent flight shot of one of these regal birds than any other species I can think of and that includes other raptors like Snowy Owls and Gyrfalcons. I’ve been trying for years and I’ve come close many times but it still hasn’t happened, though it very nearly did with this eagle just over a month ago in western Utah County.
1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Most Golden’s are wary and extremely difficult to approach but this one was different. It was perched on a utility pole along a remote dirt road and it let me get close. Once a huge tanker truck came along and passed directly beneath it but the eagle didn’t even flinch, despite the incredible noise on the rough road and the resulting cloud of dust that enveloped us all.
I despise poles and wires in my shots so my only chance to get the image I wanted was to wait until the bird took off (I don’t deliberately flush raptors to get the flight shot) and hope it took off in a direction that gave me good light on the bird without wires or poles in the background.
1/1600, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
But once again my Golden Eagle subject didn’t cooperate. It took off slightly away from me and in some of the best shots in flight the wires you see were in front of the bird. But I’ll admit that I still like this image because it shows the magnificence of the eagle in a stunning pose.
1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, wire removed, not baited, set up or called in
By the time the eagle cleared the wires it had turned even further away from me and another opportunity was lost.
I’d estimate that I’ve had about three dozen reasonably good chances with Golden Eagles over the years but something has gone wrong every damned time – poor light, a wing in front of the face, wrong take-off direction, a running engine that softened the shots, clipped body parts, ravens spooking the bird before I was set up, deep shadows on the eagle because it was too late in the day – the list is endless.
The one that haunts me most was the time I approached a Golden Eagle on the ground as it fought with several ravens over prey. The birds were in great light and they were close to the road I was on but I was pulling my camping trailer and couldn’t stop for them because I could see a vehicle approaching in my rear-view mirror. I’ll never forget that one.
One of these days I have to get lucky. I keep thinking I’ve paid my dues and the dice eventually have to roll my way but it hasn’t happened yet.
A nemesis bird indeed. The quest continues…
Ron
ANY picture, ANY sighting of a Golden Eagle would be exciting for me…there is no other bird that I am more excited to see…ever. We see a lot of Bald Eagles on the Hudson in the Winter, but the only Goldens I’ve seen were mostly in South Dakota, New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado. They are my favorite of all the raptors. As wonderful as it is to see the Bald Eagles, there is something so beautiful, magnificent and fine about the Goldens that it’s find hard to find words for. My heart always does crazy stuff when I see them….
“My heart always does crazy stuff when I see them….”
Yup, you “get it”, Patty…
I’m with you guys. Goldens are just SPECIAL in a way I can’t describe with words. Our language doesn’t go there.
You are SO right!!! There are no words…”our language doesn’t go there”. The cosest I can manage, is “wakan”…- a combination of sacred, euphoric, joyful, and minor heart attack excitedment…
Power. Grace. Style.
Your time will come. Really it will. And I am so very grateful for these shots which your picky self is not (and yes, I do understand the quest).
Thanks, EC. I guess “picky” is my middle name…
Just love goldens, EXCEPT when they’re hanging around where I hunt my birds (who are no more mine than the air I breathe). Everybody says that peregrines are the fastest critter on the planet, however, I wonder about that. I don’t think anyone has clocked their speed effectively and every year, falconers’ peregrines or gyrs are killed by goldens (aka dragons). Hmmmm. But that golden nape and those talons necessarily quicken my soul.
If it were easy, I could do it…well, probably not. When I lived in Wyoming, I witnessed a (presumably mated) pair of goldens take down a pronghorn. The hunt took about 15 minutes overall and was a spectacular example of team work between the two. If I’d had a camera with me (or if I’d remembered the camera if I did have it with me), I’d have had a series of outrageous photos–or probably not. I’m not a photographer–that’s not my super power! 😀 But what a memory, etched in my mind forever. Still, it would have been terrific to have the photos, but I don’t.
I’ve heard some of the stories about Goldens and falconry birds, Laura. And that experience you had with the eagles and the pronghorn was a once in about 10 lifetimes event. That you witnessed it was one of life’s gifts. Thanks for relating the story.
A friend of mine from OK flies goldens, even spending several seasons hunting with the Mongolian hunters. They’re spectacular, but always a danger! They EARNED the title, Dragon!
I love the stance just before lift off, “classic powerful eagle”. I had to chuckle while reading your post, I think we have all been there with our lists of
“if Only”.
“I think we have all been there with our lists of “if Only”.
I’m sure you’re right about that, April – it’s all part of the game.
I was in the Manti Lasalles on the road last yea, and sitting on the road was the biggest Golden I’ve ever seen. It was eating road kill, and I calmly got my camera and rolled my window down and started shooting as it naturally took off with those huge wings. My heart was beating so fast that I forgot to breathe. As soon as it got over the ridge and was out of sight, I checked my shots and THERE WAS NO SD CARD! I still want to cry when I think about it.
“I checked my shots and THERE WAS NO SD CARD!”
Ouch, that made me seriously cringe for you, Suzanne.
I used to do the same thing occasionally (years ago) so now I always set my camera to warn me if there’s no card inserted. That has prevented the mistake from happening since then.
These are great shots, and I’m envious! 🙂 I see golden eagles frequently around Dillon, and they are always on poles. AND, they face away from the sun, so any shot of the front would be backlighted. I really like the second shot of the eagle taking off.
I’m familiar with some of those eagles south of Dillon, Jane – from my trips to Red Rock Lakes NWR and area. I have the same problem with them that you do!
Magnificent bird!
Charlotte
Agreed, Charlotte. Such an impressive subject can make most any bird photographer look good…
Power poles and wires or no, I like these shots. I’m not entirely sure I’ve even seen a Golden Eagle, although I might have on Kodiak Island (or it could have been an immature Bald). In the last shot, my eyes immediately constructed a huge tangle of tail feathers instead of separating out the right wing…
“In the last shot, my eyes immediately constructed a huge tangle of tail feathers instead of separating out the right wing…”
I did the same thing at first, Susan. It takes some concentration to get them separated visually.
Great shot Ron. Zooming in the talons are just frightening!
Thanks, Ken.
Still great photo’s despite the wires/poles. 🙂 Their vision is so good and they don’t like being looked at – been there! Keep at it.
“Keep at it”
I will, Judy. I’m an old hand at beating my head against the wall…
Loved what you did capture. The tale of birding woe was the best. 🙂
I have enough “birding woe” tales to keep you entertained for a very long time, Stephanie!
They are challenging Ron and I hope you get some more opportunities after paying your dues. Send me an email and I will let you know of some great areas to see them.
Thanks for offering, Ed. Email sent but for some reason it was returned. I’ll try again.
Just tried again with the same result. Don’t know what’s going on…
Probably me trying to type on an iPad and got my e-mail wrong. This one, mackerrow@gmail.com, should work. Sorry for the mixup, Ron.
Your time will come Ron and I can’t wait to see the feather patterns and colors that you will pull out from beautiful natural light of this regal and splendid bird!
I appreciate your confidence in me, Nancy. I sure hope you’re right…
You’ll get there, I’m convinced! Beautiful shots of a magnificent raptor. But, I understand what you are after. On our trip out west many years ago I watched one go after a rabbit – just amazing!
During migration I have been fortunate to see one fly low overhead here in the east, but didn’t have my camera. I will live vicariously through your quest.
Dick, as you know full well “the quest” is both exhilarating and extremely frustrating.
Last year I also watched one go after a rabbit among the junipers and sagebrush in this same area and by the time it was over my heart was beating fast. Didn’t see if it was successful or not though because they both went behind some large trees.
Great shots and story…I always take time to read your BLOG. It’s the quest that drives us…thank you for sharing 🙂
“It’s the quest that drives us”
That’s absolutely correct, Zaphir!
If it were easy it wouldn’t be nearly as much fun when we succeed. If I ever get the shot I want of a Golden Eagle I may have to start looking for Ivory-billed Woodpeckers… 🙂