I have to get my eagle fix one way or another.
The timing isn’t good. Just when prime eagle-viewing season arrives here in northern Utah I’m stuck at home recovering from surgery. While many local photographers are getting nice photos of them I’m relegated to seeing their eagle images on the internet and drooling over my keyboard. So this morning I’m doing the next best thing (not nearly good enough) and posting a couple of shots from my archives.
1/1600/ f/8, ISO 500, Canon 40D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Both photos were taken at Farmington WMA some years ago including this one of an adult during a survey flight over one of the ponds. I like the warm light on the bird against the dark, foreboding skies in the background and the way the white head is set off against the dark plumage of the eagle.
1/1600/ f/8, ISO 500, Canon 40D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
This juvenile had been feeding on a carp just below the water’s surface (one of its fin spines can be seen sticking up out of the water) when it suddenly plucked off a pectoral fin and held it in its bill for a few moments before presumably gulping it down. By this time most of the flesh had been stripped off of the fish so scraps like fins were about all that was left.
Hopefully I’ll be able to get out and enjoy the eagles before they disperse for the season. My archives just aren’t cutting it.
Ron
Hi Ron,
Glad to see your posts and beautiful photos. I hope your recovery is going well.
The top photo is awesome! I love the lighting.
I am sure you are able to look through some amazing archives of your photos and find some joy for now, while you heal up.
Lately, I have been digging down deep in the dark and ugly side of human behavior, working with others to pass a bill to ban trapping on public lands in New Mexico, and another bill to ban coyote killing contests. I am sure you could imagine how such an activity sucks all life from one’s soul, seeing how a subset of the human population can find fun is such activities. So, I too have been away from enjoying the peace that nature provides.
Heal well, my friend!
Ed
I don’t know what it is about the 2nd picture but it just cracks me up. It looks like the Eagle is propped and balanced on his legs rather than standing on them. A bit of a lean one way or the other and he would plop in the water. Plus, it looks like he’s not sure what to do with the piece of fish in his beak. And he looks like he’s having a bad feather day. Quite a contrast to the stately and dignified Eagle in the 1st image. You may not have meant it that way, but I sure got a kick out of today’s post.
Lyle, I suspect he actually WAS undecided about what to do with that fin. I have quite a few photos with it in his bill so it took him a while to swallow it, if that’s what happened.
I don’t know what it is about the 2nd picture but it just cracks me up. It looks like the Eagle is propped and balanced on his legs rather than standing on them. A bit of a lean one way or the other and he would plop in the water. Plus, it looks like he’s not sure what to do with the piece of fish in his beak. And he looks like he’s having a bad feather day. Quite a contrast to the stately and dignified Eagle in the 1st image. You may not have meant it that way, but I sure got a kick out of today’s post.
Description of crowds eagle watching really turned me off. Our EAGLE FEST has become so commercial, expensive and crowded, I have lost all desire to go…the crowds are the worst part…my favorite Dudlely Eagle Images are the ones of the eagle eating in flight, the eagles being the eagle being chased by the gull and any, and all, of images of golden eagles…
It’s the same with our Eagle Days, too crowded for me. They’re doing some good work educating the public though. Thanks, Patty.
Gorgeous photos! Sorry your stuck inside. Hope you get to see some of those beauties soon!
Thanks, Joanne.
Beautiful photos! I really like the colors and light on the juvenile. If it makes you feel better, it was crowded yesterday at the bay where the eagles were. For me they were to far away for my gear too. I only briefly stopped to watch. I headed out on the west dikes for the Tundra Swans.
I heard about those crowds, April. Knowing it was like that takes a little of the sting out of missing it but…
Fantastic shots Ron!
Speedy recovery!!
Thanks, Charlotte.
I hope you are feeling better every day.
I am Bald Eagle deprived so your archives are a decided treat. And how I love the juvenile’s trousers – which is not something I am very likely to say about our own species.
Thanks, EC. I assume you’re talking about your Wedge-tailed Eagle?
Nope, I am talking about people.
I love our Wedge-tail (and see them too rarely as the city expands).
Oops, that should have been obvious from what you said. I’ll blame it on the drugs…
Not a problem. My mind is foggy without drugs.
Ron, thank you so much for posting. I completely agree with Zaphir’s comment: “Those of us that follow you value your recovery more than birds”.
I’ll keep counting – this is day 6, so a week is almost gone out of your 6 week timeline.
Both photos are great in their own way. I like the pantaloons on the juvenile and the sheen on the feathers of the adult. Thank you for searching your archives and sharing photos with us.
Thanks, Alice. Believe me, I’m counting too.
We saw a Cooper’s hawk this morning on the backyard – I should say that my husband actually saw it, since I didn’t have my glasses on (it was a blurry striped grey/red something)… last time we saw a cooper’s hawk (also the first time) was 8/17/18 – 6 months ago! I’ll be 45 this year and I’ve never seen a bald eagle in person, only in photographs…. obviously, I need to get out more
They’re very impressive birds, Nicky. Hope you get to see one some day.
Love, Love, Love, the pictures are wonderful. Like the juvenile the best.
Thanks very much, Trudy.
Beautiful shots! The juvenile considering the fin — do I or don’t I — makes me smile. 🙂
I’m with Zaph and Everett — YOU are much more important. 😀
Thanks, Marty, Wish I could remember if he actually swallowed that fin…
Wow Ron – LOVE your capture!! MY absolute favorite raptor & with your capture he looks the majestic bird he is. Can even begin to image the Turkey as our national bird?? Thank God that never happened. I so feel for you not being able to be out there photographing them. I know this is not the same but you might enjoy watching the Berry Eagle cam in Rome, Georgia. I must say I’m blown away each year to watch the eaglets hatch, grow, do their 1st “point & shoot”, their 1st pellet up-chuck, and so much more right up thru their fledge!! I learned so much from watching them and seeing what absolutely awesome Bald Eagle parents are!!
Watching eagle cams would just make it worse for me, Jo Ann. I’ll just try to grin an bear it…
The flight photo is WONDERFUL! The second photo is also excellent, but eating is not quite the eye candy of flying. Be patient, even though it’s beastly hard. You want to heal well.
Patience is a commodity I’ve always been short on but I’m trying, Nancy.
In two weeks I am going to get my Bald Eagle fix in Homer. Saw a few in Bosque last week but they never gave me an opportunity even though it was fun to watch them compete for scraps with the Ravens. The Sandhills and snow gees were, as always, plentiful. I’m hopeful that I will be satiated on Balds for a while, but I will definitely be on the lookout for Goldens in Montana this summer as well as the Redtails. When is comes to bird photography, the raptors I think will always be my favorites. Great shots here Ron. Thanks.
I’m with you regarding raptors, Frank. Especially in MT… 🙂
Just happy that you are recovering and have the itch that needs scratching, that means you will be out in your pick-up soon. Can’t keep a good man down they say. You are so kind finding something to post to entertain us…thank you.
It entertains me too, Shirley so I’m not being entirely altruistic. Far from it…
What a great shot on #1. Having the so-called bald head and beak behind the dark brown wing makes for a beautiful photo. The head and beak against the sky would still be beautiful, but against the wing just makes it special. Both photos are outstanding and of course we know you have lots of others even better. Rest up, get well first, and then you will for sure be back out there.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
Everett, I’m tempted to try for eagles this morning but I know that would be a big mistake so I’m just staying home. I’ll be a good boy… 🙂
You’ll be back next year for these birds…YOU are the focus now. Frustrating I know, but those of us that follow you value your recovery more than birds 🙂
Much appreciated, Zaph.
Gorgeous! The eagle “pop” against their backgrounds even if showing different things…… 🙂 Just came in from shoveling about 8″ of snow that fell over night! Good thing I shoved the step about 12:30 as the screen door was sweeping it then! High drama yesterday afternoon in the yard. A VERY red red tailed hawk took a hen pheasant in the yard. Of course, no way to get a shot from in the house with “stuff” in the way. 🙁 Later 2 others – not really red – joined the fray. Impressive spreading of wings to “protect” the prize and much squabbling……… Hope you’re a bit better each day! 🙂
Thanks, Judy. It’s always fun to watch raptors mantling to protect their prey.
We’ve been on a weather roller coaster. Yesterday it was like a warm spring day with temps in the 50’s but then last night we got 2″ of snow.
Knew there was a term for it! 🙂 Sunshine yesterday tho it had snowed the night before and then……….
No need to do that simply go to the explore.org and watch the birds nesting. They’re following several Eagle Nas already this year. The hummingbird one is awesome the egg has hatched. Explore is free.
https://explore.org/livecams/birds/decorah-eagles-north-nest
Enjoy
Thanks, Sandra. But I need to be “out there” to scratch my itch.
Your first photo really puts the beak on display. Also those feathers about the neck provide just the perfect regal collar. BUT…your second photo just captures my heart…a very different pose. I really like the way the finer points of the juvenile are evident…the eye color, bits of white fading from the feathers, the beautiful black beak! And how special to see the full pantaloons against the blue water. Very special indeed! ❤️ The fin in the beak…a special touch.
I agree, Kathy – the fin sets that photo and several others apart. Wish I could remember if he swallowed it…