Ed Chu Loc: Las Vegas NV

headed there on the 5th for a few days; weather reports show rain every day, for at least 10 days; anyone have experience shooting out there;
at this point I am committed to going ( although I still entertain thoughts of cancelling ), but, I am really depressed about the forecast

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Shooting in the rain wouldn't be fun for me. I'm a sun lover.

saxman71 Loc: Wenatchee

I took a quick look at the forecast for the 5th through the 10th for that area of NW Washington. Other than the 5th which looks like rain for sure, the other days are at 50% chance and that's about as good as it gets around here in the winter. If you stay for a while, I think you'll get some periods of rainless weather. I assume if you are traveling all the way across the country for this you have lined up a spot on one of the tour boats that take photographers down the river. If you hope to get good shots of eagles eating salmon you really need to be on one of those boats. Bring wet weather gear. A rain cover for your camera and lens would be nice to have.

Ed Chu Loc: Las Vegas NV

have booked a tour boat for each of the 3 days I am there, including the nnoksack river and jet sled; guide service gave me advice about rain gear; thanks for giving me some hope

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

When we lived in Seattle a number of years ago, The Victoria Clipper folks offered excursions to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, which occurs a bit later in the spring. We went, and it was cloudy and rainy, which is normal from October through the end of June in that part of the world. Turned out that it was not an impediment at all. Once we got things figured out, it was a blessing to be able to photograph in the soft, diffused light under the overcast skies. Just be aware that the ambient color temperature may be up around 8,000K (or maybe even a little higher), so you'll have to adjust accordingly. The only drawback is that you will be giving up some exposure, but the sun is so low in the Seattle sky even at noon in the winter (only about 30-35 degrees above the horizon) that you wouldn't be close to Sunny 16 even if there were no clouds. Shooting at noon in winter there is like shooting a couple of hours before sunset at lower latitudes.

Rain means a different thing in the coastal northwest than it does most other places. An umbrella (bumbershoot) works wonders. According to the National Weather Service, Saturday looks like the day will be partly cloudy with high temperatures in the mid 40s. Right now, and through Friday, it is going to be very breezy, which can be more of a detriment there than other weather problems. Watch weather forecasts carefully. Here in Texas, we can see bad stuff coming a week or so ahead. Up there, the weather many times forms up just over the horizon, and advance warning can be limited.

Have a great time, and share with us when you get back.

Ed Chu Loc: Las Vegas NV

thank you; I will actually be there photographing from 6, 7, and 8 of Jan

kenpic Loc: Edmonds, WA

You will see some eagles, but not in large numbers. The river has to be down some (exposing the gravel bars) to see the most eagles. I would not cancel though as the river trip is a unique experience. I went to the Skagit Flats 2 days ago and counted 49 eagles All residents) in a 30 minute drive. I exit at 221 and drive West through Conway and LaConner and then take Best Road (which becomes Farm to Market Road at Hwy20) up to Bow Edison. If you go toward Samish Island, there is a farmhouse with a eagle nest. It has 4-6 eagles there all the time. I saw 40 eagles in one tree there, but that will be in early Feb just before the immatures migrate back North.

Ed Chu Loc: Las Vegas NV

great info; thank you for taking the time; I am really finding out, late in the game, that December might be the best time to see the most eagles, although, the weather is still problematic, at times.
have you gone to see the eagles in Vancouver or Alaska ?

hawkfan

When we lived in Seattle, the trip to the Skagit Valley was an annual event. My suggestion is not to let the rain stop you Wear rain gear on you and your camera. You can pick up a camera specific plastic cover for your camera pretty cheaply. Check out Kenmorecamera.com as they are a very well stocked shop located Kenmore on the north end of Lake Washington. Seattle-ites have a saying that if you wait for the rain to stop you will never do anything. Oh, another thing, make sure your raincoat has a hoodie. Good luck.

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

In addition to eagles, on the west side of I-5 on Fir Island there are usually large populations of Snow Geese (1,000s) this time of year and swans as well. So if your Skagit/Nooksak trips don't pan out, there are snow geese and swans to find as well.

Typically there are breaks in the rain patterns and it generally may mist a lot but we don't too often have really heavy rain fall all day.

Photocraig

I agree. I'm not weather sealed anymore, either. Maybe I lost my red ring.

limeybiker

When we do an Alaska cruise, we fly to Seattle and take the Amtrak from Seattle to Vancouver, just across the Canadian border at White Rock, we have seen as many as 108 bald eagles, according to the conductor, on the beach, it has to be low water though, the same journey at high water yielded nil.

These photographs are of an immature bald eagle, taken through the carriage window, with a D90 70-300 in 2012.

(Download)

Ed Chu Loc: Las Vegas NV

thank you

Ed Chu Loc: Las Vegas NV

thank you

bgrizz

I have guided all over Alaska. "Rocky Point Resort" out of Petersburg has the best opportunity to get close up eagle photos of anywhere I have ever been. No boat needed. It is a sport fishing camp, but will welcome you. It is a summer trip with outstanding fishing as well. I am retired and live about a mile from the Nooksack now near Blaine. There are a lot of eagles here each winter but no comparison. The photo opps. are also not as great here. If finances are a consideration, take the foot ferry to Petersburg out of Bellingham and have the lodge pick you up. It is a great trip in itself. The lodge is a no frills camp for people who love fishing and the outdoors. The food is great, the cabins clean, the view outstanding and the staff like family. The only justifiable complaints I heard in my six years there was that some eagles pooped on some people (good luck so they say) and the scream of eagles kept a few clients awake. Awwww !!!