![\"golden](\"https:\/\/featheredphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/golden-eagle-8280-ron-dudley.jpg\")
1\/2500, f\/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f\/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc,\u00a0not baited, set up or called in<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\nFence posts and power poles are the preferred perches of Golden Eagles in the valley so it’s difficult to avoid them in my photos. I had good light on this bird which was a nice change – usually when I could get fairly close to a Golden Eagle it was back-lit. Just a few minutes before I took this photo I photographed another eagle taking off but the light angle was poor and the head was shaded in every shot. I was a little surprised that the golden nape of this bird didn’t show up better in this light.<\/p>\n
We arrived home from our camping trip yesterday afternoon. This trip had its highs and lows. Some of the highlights included more Short-eared Owls (including chicks)\u00a0than I’ve ever seen in the area on previous trips, an almost unbelievable number of Prairie Falcons, a Northern Pygmy Owl with prey, a badger, a family of\u00a0red foxes\u00a0(that I couldn’t get quite close enough to) and I explored some new and spectacular wild country.<\/p>\n
But mechanical problems with my pickup and photo gear put a damper on part of the trip. A\u00a0visit to the Ford dealer in Idaho Falls solved the pickup problem (the accelerator plate and motor\u00a0had to be replaced) but at this point my focusing issues with my photo gear remain unresolved. It’ll take me several days of culling and reviewing images to (hopefully) pinpoint the problem and only time will tell what the solution might be. The problem is intermittent which further complicates the detective process.<\/p>\n
I’ve been\u00a0largely incommunicado for the past week but I want folks to know that I appreciate all the post comments (that I’ve been unable to respond to) that you’ve made in my absence\u00a0and the thoughtful messages some have sent with advice about how to resolve my photo gear issues.<\/p>\n
Thank you all!<\/p>\n
Ron<\/p>\n
PS –\u00a0 Rehab center volunteer April Olson has sent me\u00a0this update on the condition of the young Short-eared Owl I cut out of a barbed wire fence a few weeks ago:<\/em><\/p>\n “While at the wildlife rehab I checked in on your owl. It is doing great. Its wing has healed well and it almost has full extension. Its feisty and feeling stronger.”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n