My First Eagle Pic...... EVER (Page 2): Nice shot Gary...

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

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 Gary

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

You captured a great pose. Thanks for sharing it.

Tom DePuy Loc: Waxhaw, N.C.

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

Congrats on your Eagle photo.
Really nice to see one that is not sitting in a treetop.

Tom

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Great accomplishment, Gary.
--Bob

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

Rhinophoto Loc: Davis, CA

A very good start! Sacramento NWR is a great place for bird photography (and vernal pool flowers in the Spring). I second rock dog/Phil's advice to shoot from the car. Ten days ago I took photos of 5 eagles at Sac from my car, all at <50 yards. Had I gotten out of my car, I probably would have scared them off. You'll get used to shooting through the driver's window and stabilizing the lens on it. You can buy equipment for that purpose, use a foam tube, fold a towel, or just turn the engine off and hunker down in the seat. There is good literature at the visitor's center, the staff are generally very knowledgeable, and the website has a photography section. I believe the hunting blinds are free outside of hunt season; there are photography blinds available through a lottery which is held in August/September and a small fee is charged for their use. Go down the road to Colusa NWR also. Its viewing platform is a tremendous place to set up a tripod, close to ducks and geese. Both refuges have hiking trails, but the viewing platforms or your car will get you the photos you want. PM me if you want.
Mike
Davis, CA

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

J-SPEIGHT wrote:

Nice shot Gary

Thank You Jack

-Gary

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

joehel2 wrote:

You captured a great pose. Thanks for sharing it.

Joe,

Thanks for your comment.

-Gary

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

Tom DePuy wrote:

Congrats on your Eagle photo.
Really nice to see one that is not sitting in a treetop.

Tom

Tom,

Yeah, it is definitely a different pose for an Eagle. Thanks for your comment,

-Gary

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

rmalarz wrote:

Great accomplishment, Gary.
--Bob

Thanks Bob, I'm not sure that its really an accomplishment or not. More than likely just dumb luck. But its one of those things I always wanted to capture someday. Now its quest to actually get a better than just "okay" shot. Thanks for commenting.

-Gary

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

Rhinophoto wrote:

A very good start! Sacramento NWR is a great plac... (show quote)

Thanks for the info Mike. I'll definitely follow your suggestions. I'm kind of surprised just how many people know of this place. It doesn't seem to get THAT many visitors. Seems whenever I go, there's maybe 3 or 4 other cars along the tour route. (I Know because impatient me passes all of them) Perhaps that's why I haven't gotten stellar shots of the inhabitants there...... I'm just too impatient. I gotta work on that character flaw. Thanks again for your insight.

-Gary

Ed Chu Loc: Las Vegas NV

Now, you are hooked!

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Very good capture, Gary.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Thanks for sharing your eagle. They’re not all that easy to capture. And that’s an interesting photo with the way you caught the wind ruffling its head feathers. Nice work.

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

Ed Chu wrote:

Now, you are hooked!

Ed, I Fear I am.

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

Earnest Botello wrote:

Very good capture, Gary.

Thank You Earnest