Alaska: Bald eagle portraits encore.
Feb 20, 2012 15:39:22 #
flathead27ford wrote:
Hi Ivan,
I am always blown away by your photos. How do you get such close shots? All of your shots, be they whales, bears, eagles etc. look like you are about 5 feet away. What equipment were you using for these shots and could you tell some of the story behind the shots? What were the magnificent birds doing and stuff like that. Cheers.
I am always blown away by your photos. How do you get such close shots? All of your shots, be they whales, bears, eagles etc. look like you are about 5 feet away. What equipment were you using for these shots and could you tell some of the story behind the shots? What were the magnificent birds doing and stuff like that. Cheers.
How do I get close shots of the wildlife? Location, stubborn persistence and effort.Over 90% of my about 1000 photos posted at UH were taken with "inferior" equipment meaning nonDSLR cameras.
My relationship with Bald eagles goes way back and it was love/hate for many years. I see eagles every day and my thinking was "if I want a good eagle photo I can get it anytime". I took it for granted and photographed everything else but eagles.Then somebody asked me for a good eagle close-up and I had to admit I did not have any. So I took my camera and went to get that "easy" eagle shot.SURPRISE, I could not get any because all eagles always took off before I could get within a close range.I was persistent and pretty soon they all knew me.As soon as my pickup showed up anywhere they would take off even before I could open the door. In winter they get hungry so I turned to bribery,bought them bait herrings but they would not bite.I would spread the herrings around and waited for hours but they were sitting high in the trees looking down at me amused.I called them sweet and bad names,threw herrings at them at frustration but nothing made any difference.As soon as I would start leaving and get out or the range they would swoop down and get the herrings.My first lucky break came on a very cold day with icy wind blowing,driving the chill factor way down.Eagles are not dummies, colder it gets lower they perch to be protected from the wind.I located one sitting about 20` above the ground and I slowly belly crawled thru a deep snow toward the bird.He was definitely puzzled by this weird horizontal being covered with snow but did not considered me dangerours. I got close to the tree and with frozen hands I managed to get a few full body shots. After that I kind of developed mental kinship with eagles and the shooting got easier. Thanks,Ivan.
Feb 20, 2012 16:33:22 #
alaskan wrote:
Why so small?
Kesnerco wrote:
My eagles want to join your eagles. Most taken around Homer or Anchor Point:
Why so small?
OUCH. And he had it coming. Great photos. I've never been disappointed.
Feb 20, 2012 16:46:36 #
I really Love your shots, But you get a Triple AAA in story telling. Your GREAT.
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Feb 20, 2012 16:53:40 #
Feb 20, 2012 18:23:57 #
Well, your forcing me to show you my Maryland Eagle..........
Feb 20, 2012 18:46:33 #
rick21043 wrote:
Well, your forcing me to show you my Maryland Eagle..........
Good one. Are the colors reflecting the reality? Alaskan Bald eagles have much brighter yellow/orange beak.
Feb 20, 2012 19:21:39 #
The lighting wasn't so good and it's a late inmature which I think has a lot to do with the coloring but I'm not a birder.
My good friend is Woody Dawson.............better known as
http://woodyseagles.com/1.html I tried to call him but failed...........He would know.
My good friend is Woody Dawson.............better known as
http://woodyseagles.com/1.html I tried to call him but failed...........He would know.
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Feb 20, 2012 20:51:51 #
Feb 20, 2012 21:38:09 #
alaskan wrote:
quote=flathead27ford Hi Ivan, br I am always blow... (show quote)
Wonderful story. I tried to sneak up on some Canada geese today. I can see that I have a lot of practicing to do. I didn't even get close and they were out of there.
Feb 20, 2012 23:50:53 #
Feb 21, 2012 00:09:04 #
Michael O'
Loc: Midwest right now
alaskan wrote:
Continuation of my previous topic "Alaska: Bald eagle portraits".
Wow, too bad you couldn't have gotten a real "closeup' !!
They are beautimus !! What lens and body did you do this nearly macro work with ? Were they sitting on your knee ? Were you in a blind ? -- or
was the eagle just blind to you ? Far out ! No, close in.
Michael O' soccermick33@yahoo.com
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Feb 21, 2012 03:51:01 #
Michael O' wrote:
Wow, too bad you couldn't have gotten a real "closeup' !!
They are beautimus !! What lens and body did you do this nearly macro work with ? Were they sitting on your knee ? Were you in a blind ? -- or
was the eagle just blind to you ? Far out ! No, close in.
Michael O' soccermick33@yahoo.com
alaskan wrote:
Continuation of my previous topic "Alaska: Bald eagle portraits".
Wow, too bad you couldn't have gotten a real "closeup' !!
They are beautimus !! What lens and body did you do this nearly macro work with ? Were they sitting on your knee ? Were you in a blind ? -- or
was the eagle just blind to you ? Far out ! No, close in.
Michael O' soccermick33@yahoo.com
All you ask about was already addressed on this and #3 page of this thread. Thanks,Ivan.
Feb 28, 2012 10:55:12 #
Feb 28, 2012 15:22:57 #
Mar 1, 2012 23:34:06 #
Horseart wrote:
You just keep out-doing yourself. These are wonderful!!!
alaskan wrote:
Continuation of my previous topic "Alaska: Bald eagle portraits".
You just keep out-doing yourself. These are wonderful!!!
Ivan, These are fantastic. I'm amazed at the expression from this majestic bird. He seems to be saying alot.
"I'm the Boss", "This is my backyard. No tresspassing" and of course "Don't get me riled up!"
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