A short series.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Four years ago, on September 9, 2016, I found this immature Golden Eagle perched on a large rock at the base of a mountain in a remote area of northern Utah. After ‘he’ took off I took a long series of photos of him in flight but he was fairly far away and close to the side of the mountain so I had considerable difficulty maintaining sharp focus on the bird. These two photos are some of the sharper shots I managed to get and they’re both new to my blog.
As he flew past patches of blooming rabbitbrush, sunflowers and tall dead grasses with varying amounts of contrast to the bird my active focus point was confused even more so I consider myself lucky to get these two reasonably sharp photos among many softer ones..
1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Three frames in the burst later the background was becoming mostly light colored dead grasses so with the eagle being so dark it increased the contrast between bird and background. That helped a little with autofocus accuracy, even with the background so close to the bird. If you compare the feet in both photos you’ll see more detail in the second shot than in the first.
Golden Eagles are uncommon and except for an occasional eagle high on an ugly utility pole that allows a close approach they’re damn near impossible to get close to. They may in fact be the wildest and least approachable bird species I try to photograph around here.
Throw their absolute magnificence into the equation and you have one of my most prized photo subjects, even when the resulting photos aren’t quite as sharp and detailed as I prefer.
Ron
Oh, Ron! So very, very special….thank you! These are wonderful….👍
Patty, knowing how much you love Goldens I was thinking of you as I wrote this post.
“Magnificent” certainly describes this gentleman in the making!
I thought so too, Marty.
Majestic and marvellous.
Thanks, EC.
Lovely find! Such big feet on the bird.
Three years ago my drive to Platte River to see the Sandhill Cranes in March, I saw so many eagles along the route from Wyoming to Nebraska I think they should name I-80 Golden Eagle Highway.
Holy moly, has it been three years since you took that trip! I remember you going and it sure doesn’t seem like it’s been that long.
Your Golden Eagle photos are my favorites. They bring back fond memories of my years living in Southern Nevada where I observed Goldens stoop in flight as they returned to their nest. The first time this happened I didn’t realize there was a nest nearby so it sent a chill up and down my spine while i watched the eagle hurtle towards the ground at full speed! Magnificent birds!
Yup, you get it Skip. I don’t see how that chill down the spine can be avoided when a Golden in a stoop is involved.
Beautiful pictures 😁
We have a golden nest around… only a couple people know where and they’re not telling. Fine with me ❗️
That kind of secret is best left kept secret, Diana. Especially with Goldens.
You came, you saw, you photographed. A Golden Eagle. Fairly close to boot. That’s a huge win In my book.
Lyle, once again we have the same ‘book’. Thanks.
I’m so glad you posted these, Ron. My favorite bird sighting was the one time i saw a Golden. I was on my way to visit family in the wilds of Wyoming, driving on a gravel road in open country. I saw the bird from quite a distance away and began slowing immediately. I got to within 30 feet or so before she took off, flying away from me along the road. Her wingspan was astounding! Literally spanning nearly the entire road surface. She had taken down a pronghorn and was working on her meal – must have been hungry to let me get that close.
Nina, years ago while driving a remote road I was right behind another pickup in front of me, close enough that I could see the road in front of him through his windshield. Suddenly his windshield turned black.
It was a Golden Eagle that had been feeding on roadkill. I didn’t see it until it flew up right in front of the other pickup. It’s huge wingspan completely filled his windshield and made it go black.
Thankfully he didn’t hit the eagle.
Fantastic; especially the 2nd.
Thank you, Brad.
We are anticipating a winter storm this weekend. Time to break out the winter bed clothes. I adore good weather when I can enjoy it on my terms. 😉
This eagle is splendid, isn’t he! I know you will win this battle of wings and wit one day!
Thanks, Arwen. I’ve won the battle a time or two but the war continues.
Beautiful! 😀 Hugging the ground like that DOES give autofocus fits and “way the hell and gone” in the sky is a whole ‘nother issue….😞 Background IS beautiful tho. I’ll take these 2 photos any day……
Snow not ridiculous yet tho it appears roads are and semi’s are struggling. Lookout Pass has been plugged up one direction or the other off and on since yesterday…….
Thanks, Judy.
What I remember about MT roads in the winter, at least back in the day, is that once they’re snow-packed they often remain so for weeks or even months because it’s so damned cold. Around here they usually get them cleared pretty quickly.