My First Eagle Pic...... EVER: Okay, so I know its not "Regis" Quality, but I'm so excited I was able to capture an Eagle. Actually other than in a Zoo, I've never seen one in the...

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

Okay, so I know its not "Regis" Quality, but I'm so excited I was able to capture an Eagle. Actually other than in a Zoo, I've never seen one in the wild. Conditions were less than optimal as it was windy as heck, and shot from nearly 1000' away, (therefore heavily cropped) but I'm still thrilled.

Taken at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Willows, CA

-Gary

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Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Congratulations on your sighting and your pic. Many of us here fully understand the thrill you experienced!

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

Linda From Maine wrote:

Congratulations on your sighting and your pic. Many of us here fully understand the thrill you experienced!

Thank You Linda, I only wish I could have gotten closer. 1000' is just too dang far. I sat there in the car for about 10 mins, and other than swiveling his head, he never took flight. In fact driving thru the refuge, I couldn't tell it was an eagle till I looked at it thru the lens. All I saw from the road was a Nearly Black and White Blob. The Tamron 150-600 with a 1.4 teleconverter made it a usable pic.

Now that I critique myself, there's a whole lot I would have done different. Faster shutter would have been better, but I'm still excited I got ANY shot.

-Gary

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Magaliaman wrote:

Okay, so I know its not "Regis" Quality, but I'm so excited I was able to capture an Eagle. Actually other than in a Zoo, I've never seen one in the wild. Conditions were less than optimal as it was windy as heck, and shot from nearly 1000' away, (therefore heavily cropped) but I'm still thrilled.

Taken at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Willows, CA

-Gary

Certainly nothing to be ashamed of! It’s certainly better than my first, and yes, that first sighting and image that follows is something you’ll never forget. Congrats. BTW, I really like the way the wind’s ruffled his feathers.

CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

WhoooHoooo...so excited for you! I understand the excitement, I love seeing them and your pic is wonderful! I have that same lens but the older g1 model...not sure a converter will work with it.

Angel Star Photography Loc: Tacoma, WA

Magaliaman wrote:

Okay, so I know its not "Regis" Quality, but I'm so excited I was able to capture an Eagle. Actually other than in a Zoo, I've never seen one in the wild. Conditions were less than optimal as it was windy as heck, and shot from nearly 1000' away, (therefore heavily cropped) but I'm still thrilled.

Taken at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Willows, CA

-Gary

Nice shot regardless, Gary. It's always exciting to catch an eagle but I think you have quite a unique shot with the wind ruffling up his headdress...

rockdog Loc: Berkeley, Ca.

Magaliaman wrote:

Okay, so I know its not "Regis" Quality, but I'm so excited I was able to capture an Eagle. Actually other than in a Zoo, I've never seen one in the wild. Conditions were less than optimal as it was windy as heck, and shot from nearly 1000' away, (therefore heavily cropped) but I'm still thrilled.

Taken at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Willows, CA

-Gary

Hi Gary, I absolutely understand your joy of this moment. Congratulations, it is a great feeling. The SacramentoNWR's Willows refuge has a very high raptor population at the moment and I am happy you had this opportunity, Good work.
Phil

jdtonkinson Loc: Red Wing, MN

Hi Gary, I would be thrilled to get that photo. That is a long way off, but still a decent photo. Great.

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

MadMikeOne wrote:

Certainly nothing to be ashamed of! It’s certainly better than my first, and yes, that first sighting and image that follows is something you’ll never forget. Congrats. BTW, I really like the way the wind’s ruffled his feathers.

MadMike,

The wind ruffled my Feathers too ! Opened the window on the truck to get the shot, and it blew my ball cap off ! lol

-Gary

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

CindyHouk wrote:

WhoooHoooo...so excited for you! I understand the excitement, I love seeing them and your pic is wonderful! I have that same lens but the older g1 model...not sure a converter will work with it.

Cindy,

Unfortunately I believe you're correct, the teleconverters will not work on the A011 Lens. But frankly I don't know that they help THAT Much. You give up quite a bit of light, and there's always the question of some softness. I haven't worked with it long enough to be sure, but my gut tells me you could crop in post and achieve the same results. Thanks for you comments though.

-Gary

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

Angel Star Photography wrote:

Nice shot regardless, Gary. It's always exciting ... (show quote)

Yes, it is unique in that respect, but I was also surprised to see him just sitting on the ground. It just seemed to be out of place. I guess I expect Eagles to be in a High perch somewhere instead of on flat ground. Initially from my vantage point on the road, I could not be sure what it was with the naked eye.

-Gary

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

rockdog wrote:

Hi Gary, I absolutely understand your joy of this moment. Congratulations, it is a great feeling. The SacramentoNWR's Willows refuge has a very high raptor population at the moment and I am happy you had this opportunity, Good work.
Phil

Phil,

You're 100% correct. I saw quite a few raptors out there. Frankly never expected to see an Eagle though. I'm literally a 10 min Drive from the Refuge, I'll have to visit a bit more often now. I was getting bored with seeing the same old ducks and geese and coots over and over again. (Maybe I'm just not a "Birder" though. I just wish you could get out of the car. Shooting thru the truck window with a long lens isn't the optimum scenario for a great shot.

-Gary

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

jdtonkinson wrote:

Hi Gary, I would be thrilled to get that photo. That is a long way off, but still a decent photo. Great.

Yes, a Loooong way off. Frankly I was surprised I got what I got. Its not a wall hanger by any means, but to me seeing and capturing an Eagle was all that mattered.

Thanks for your comments

-Gary

rockdog Loc: Berkeley, Ca.

Magaliaman wrote:

Phil, br br You're 100% correct. I saw quite a f... (show quote)

I hope I can encourage you to stick with your attempts at shooting from your vehicle. I posted a topic on this subject: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-450775-1.html Over 95% of my bird photos are taken from the drivers seat of my car...and most of these are from the SNWR auto tours. Your are fortunate to be so close. Go to the visitors center and get info, maps and trail guides to the several other locations of the refuges in the SNWR complex. There are many opportunities to hike and shoot but the "car blind" can produce some very satisfactory results. I take most of my photos with a crop sensor body and an older copy of the Sig 150-500. All of the bird photos in my most recent posts were taken from car window on these auto loops.
I thank you for reminding me of the joy I felt at my first eagle photo! Feel free to PM me if you have questions.
Phil

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

rockdog wrote:

I hope I can encourage you to stick with your atte... (show quote)

Phil,

Thanks for the encouragement. Believe it or not, I just have a hard time maneuvering the camera and lens over the steering wheel and pointed out the window. The lens is too long, and the windows are too close it seems. When I do get a shot out the window, I have little to nothing to rest against it seems. Then the dang mirrors always seem to be in the way. (You'd think there'd be more room in an F150 P/U truck) I'd love to be on foot with a tripod, but as you're aware, you cant do that here. I have gotten to the visitors center and got the maps even thought about renting one of the hunting blinds but I think they want $175.00 for one of those. Admittedly, Im not a "Birder" per say, but my eagle shot has peaked my interest somewhat. I'll keep at it, and I might just PM you for some of the finer points of car shooting.

Thank You, -Gary