I’ve posted three other photos of this bird in the past but I think this one also deserves to be seen. After all, I don’t get many opportunities with Golden Eagles, especially in flight, in good light and reasonably close.
1/5000, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Just over three weeks ago I found this Golden Eagle (an adult female I believe) perched atop a ridgeline at a good distance for flight shots if she chose to take off in almost any direction that was generally toward me. She did, but for some reason I was a little slow on the trigger when she launched so I missed getting the takeoff shots.
But I got quite a few photos as she flew to my left and just above the ridgeline. I like this one because her namesake golden nape is prominent, her tail is fully flared and there’s grass and even part of a rock at the bottom of the frame as indicators of her elevation above the ridge. In most of my shots of her I had nothing but the bird and homogenous blue sky in the frame.
I’m looking forward to, hopefully, having another opportunity with her (she does seem to be hanging around) but it’s a long drive to get there and our weather is being far from cooperative, with recent snow and more rain and snow in the forecast.
I just have to play it hour by hour and day by day. I’d love to get photos of her in the snow but I’m not willing to drive that far in the predawn darkness while it’s actively snowing. Because… Utah drivers.
Ron
Fantastic shot! And a thrilling experience, I’m sure.
Hmmm, thinking USAF used her as the model for its new B-21 stealth aircraft just unveiled in SoCal. Symmetrical and streamlined to the Nth degree. And as much as we’d all love to see this beauty with a backdrop of that white stuff, no one can blame you for taking no chances with less-than-adequate drivers on the roads in bad weather. Believe me, it’s not just in Utah! 🙄
“Believe me, it’s not just in Utah! ”
That’s true Chris, but I believe we have our own special breed of stupid – especially when it comes to first snows of winter then they’ve “forgotten” how to drive on it. Or they decide to test their limits, at the potential expense of others.
I was looking at photos of that new bomber just yesterday.
As good as shots like these are, Ron, I’ll take all I can get. The light on her nape and the full feather extension of wing and tail are gorgeous. And while being housebound temporarily may suck it would be far worse to get stuck or slide off the road or be hit by anyone who suffered the same fate and frankly I think most of us would rather have you around for the long haul than have you end up permanently housebound for a few fresh shots and unable to pursue your passion from which we all get so much pleasure.
Far worse indeed, Granny Pat. For all of us, but especially for me!
Magnificent.
Given that ‘our’ drivers don’t cope well with rainy conditions I shudder to think what snow would do…It is my private theory that they drive fast and very close to the cars in front so that their cardboard cars don’t get as wet and the other car gets all of the moisture.
EC, driving in the dark when it’s snowing is no fun. I had quite a bit of experience at it in Montana but that was when these old eyes were much younger.
A lot of frayed feathers and a couple out of place certainly don’t detract from her magnificence. They only attest to her tenacity and ability to survive. I don’t think you could have captured her at a better angle.
Much appreciated, Lyle.
Superb shot Ron, thanks for sharing!
Charlotte Norton
Thanks, Charlotte.
Beautiful. Thank you for the sight.
Appreciate your caution regarding road trips in poor conditions. Waiting for the day the weather passes is the smart bet.
Thanks, Michael. Caution or cowardice, it’s the way it is.
One of our most beautiful and majestic birds. Great job Ron. Don’t take any chances going out there far from home in nasty weather. Recovering from those surgeries you sure don’t want to have a situation where you get stuck and have to get out of the truck
I keep thinking the same thing, Everett. That would be scary.
She is a beauty. Thanks for another look at her Ron.
Thank you, Mark.
Beautiful! Luv the feather detail and the golden nape is unusually clear….. 🙂
Don’t blame you not wanting to get out in crappy weather with less than skilful drivers….. 😉
Our birds are all messed up – 1 gray crowned rosy finch that doesn’t know how to use the feeder, a couple of gold finches in winter colors and a pair of house finches. GEEZ! Eurasian collered doves are getting pretty aggresive below the feeder and with each other due to snow cover – wish they’d leave…. 😉
Judy, I haven’t seen any birds in my yard to speak of for a while. But that’s because my feeder is empty and I’m out of seed.
That tends to do it! 😉 Of course, MANY chickadees, hairy woodpecker (male) and the Magpies…… Dark eyed Junco’s finally left…… A few raptors around tho mostly unidentifiable at distance…….
Another great selection from your session with this majestic eagle.
Thank you, Kenneth.