Bald eagles
Jan 28, 2020 15:21:33 #
The bald eagle population around here has been way down this year. I am told it is because of the warmer winter we have been having. I was out looking for eagles after a recent cold snap and tried the usual places like Lock and Dam 14 and 15 but no luck. I decided to try Sunset Marina but wasn't counting on much figuring that the lagoon would be frozen over. When I got there I saw it was frozen except for an area about 15 x 40 feet of still unfrozen water. This area was only about 30 feet off shore so I sat down and waited. I was treated to some exceptional photo opportunities. One time an eagle landed on the ice only 30 feet away to eat his fish. I have many photos from the shoot that I will post over the next few days. today will be an introduction.
I had my Sony a9 with a Canon 500 mm f/4 using a Sigma adapter. It worked pretty well but I did miss a few shots due to inability to capture focus.
I had my Sony a9 with a Canon 500 mm f/4 using a Sigma adapter. It worked pretty well but I did miss a few shots due to inability to capture focus.
Jan 28, 2020 15:45:40 #
Jan 28, 2020 15:51:08 #
Mi630 wrote:
The bald eagle population around here has been way... (show quote)
Great images. Was planning a trip to L&D 14. Will try your Sunset Marina.Thanks for the tip
Jan 28, 2020 15:55:15 #
PixelStan77 wrote:
Great images. Was planning a trip to L&D 14. Will try your Sunset Marina.Thanks for the tip
Noooo. Sunset Marina is no good now because it is now totally frozen over. There will be eagles again when it starts thawing. Usually not until late Feb to early March. Definitely do not come to the marina now.
Jan 28, 2020 15:55:18 #
Jan 28, 2020 15:55:43 #
Jan 28, 2020 15:56:25 #
Jan 28, 2020 15:58:31 #
Mi630 wrote:
Noooo. Sunset Marina is no good now because it is now totally frozen over. There will be eagles again when it starts thawing. Usually not until late Feb to early March. Definitely do not come to the marina now.
Where to to possible see Eagle chicks? L&D15 or 16?
Jan 28, 2020 16:02:41 #
PixelStan77 wrote:
Where to to possible see Eagle chicks? L&D15 or 16?
No idea on that one. I know where there are a couple eagle nests but they are high in the tree and impossible to get close to. You can check out eagle cams. The Decorah eagles and there is a camera on the Arconic eagles.
Jan 28, 2020 16:31:22 #
Great shots...but what does the eagle have on it's back in the first couple of shots and the last shot? Looks like a metal box of some kind.
Jan 28, 2020 16:52:40 #
Jan 28, 2020 17:21:41 #
I wonder what it's like for that eagle to have that thing strapped to it's back! Is that eagle permanently strapped with that tracking device or camera or whatever it is? Or is this an eagle that is owned by a falconer? Just wondering if you know.
Jan 28, 2020 17:46:45 #
Great images. It makes for a great photo op when only a little water is open because if you just wait, here they come. vz
Jan 28, 2020 18:15:46 #
CindyHouk wrote:
Great shots...but what does the eagle have on it's back in the first couple of shots and the last shot? Looks like a metal box of some kind.
It is a GPS tracking device. I believe it is attached by a government agency and used to track the migratory pattern of that eagle. I believe that particular eagle keeps returning to this area as I have seen a similarly outfitted eagle two years ago. The locals refer to him as “Backpack”.
Jan 28, 2020 18:21:07 #
vonzip wrote:
Great images. It makes for a great photo op when only a little water is open because if you just wait, here they come. vz
I was very lucky. Almost didn’t go over there because I figured it was all iced over. In fact the next day I went back and it was iced over and the eagles were gone.
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