Eagles on the Mississippi: We've had some very cold temperatures over the past couple weeks in northwest Illinois, so the river is pretty icy. The eagles are congregating near the Lock...

PattyW60 Loc: Northwest Illinois

We've had some very cold temperatures over the past couple weeks in northwest Illinois, so the river is pretty icy. The eagles are congregating near the Lock and Dam to fish, so this is a great time to watch these magnificent raptors!
I acquired a used 600mm lens and this is the first chance I've had to really try it out. I had a lot of trouble locking and keeping focus on the eagles, so I need to figure out what I'm doing wrong. If anyone has any tips they'd like to share, I'd love to hear them. I was using a Canon 5d Mark IV and a 600mm f/4L II lens with a 1.4 iii Extender. I started with a small focus group, then shifted to center point, thinking I was somehow grabbing focus from the background or something. I use BBF and haven't had this much trouble when using my 100-400 lens, so this is new to me. I was set to Full focusing range, so I don't think that was my problem. Also had myself set up on a monopod, but switched to a tripod.

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Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

PattyW60 wrote:

We've had some very cold temperatures over the pas... (show quote)

Very nice images. I really like seeing them diving toward the water.

So you went from 400 to 840. A tiny movement of the lens at 400 may not be detectable but is magnified at 840. I would try the 600 without the 1.4. Other than that, practice will get you where you want to be. I like the images you posted but from your note, I'm sure there are shots you wish you had nailed and didn't. Don't despair, sometimes it takes a lot of shots to get just the perfect shot.

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

One quick comment is that a 600 mm with 1.4 TC is 840 equivalent and your field of view is about half of what you would have at 400 mm with your 100-400 lens. So it is more challenging to find your subject with your 600 mm + 1.4 TC and therefore, your chance to lock on focus and get the sharp images you are after.

And, in general, birds in flight are very challenging and the keeper rate is generally low.

NMGal Loc: NE NM

I think you did good.

mikenolan Loc: Lincoln Nebraska

A few years ago, when the upper Mississippi was frozen over, there were hundreds of bald eagles at several of the locks and dams between Dubuque and the Quad Cities. There was a video posted, it was awesome.

The Illinois river also tends to have lots of bald eagles.

The Big Blue river in SE Nebraska also has quite a few bald eagles.

Great shots!

jack schade Loc: La Pine Oregon

jack

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Very good series, Patty.

jdub82 Loc: Northern California

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Beautiful set, Patty! I too use a 600mm with a 1.4tc for long bird shots. A rest or monopod helps me considerably because motion is difficult to control at that length. I have a Sony that allows me to use an area focus for BIFs and a spot focus for stationary subjects.

PattyW60 Loc: Northwest Illinois

Bridges wrote:

Very nice images. I really like seeing them diving toward the water.

So you went from 400 to 840. A tiny movement of the lens at 400 may not be detectable but is magnified at 840. I would try the 600 without the 1.4. Other than that, practice will get you where you want to be. I like the images you posted but from your note, I'm sure there are shots you wish you had nailed and didn't. Don't despair, sometimes it takes a lot of shots to get just the perfect shot.

Thank you, Mike! I love watching them diving toward the water, too! Thanks, also, for your encouraging words! I've been using my 1.4 extender on the 100-400 lens, which gets me to 560mm. I wanted more reach than the 600mm, so I put the 1.4 on that lens. The eagles are a bit far away to photograph from the platform at L&D 13, so the extra reach is helpful. I didn't take a ton of throwaways, simply because I couldn't lock focus long enough to click the shutter. I think it's a matter of getting use to the lens and not expecting too much. I'll keep working at it! ;)

Patty

PattyW60 Loc: Northwest Illinois

JFCoupe wrote:

One quick comment is that a 600 mm with 1.4 TC is 840 equivalent and your field of view is about half of what you would have at 400 mm with your 100-400 lens. So it is more challenging to find your subject with your 600 mm + 1.4 TC and therefore, your chance to lock on focus and get the sharp images you are after.

And, in general, birds in flight are very challenging and the keeper rate is generally low.

Thanks, JF! I think you're right; capturing birds in flight is more challenging. I need to lower my expectations, but still enjoy the challenge. Nothing better than being out with nature and new discoveries!

Patty

PattyW60 Loc: Northwest Illinois

NMGal wrote:

I think you did good.

Thank you for your kind words!

PattyW60 Loc: Northwest Illinois

mikenolan wrote:

A few years ago, when the upper Mississippi was frozen over, there were hundreds of bald eagles at several of the locks and dams between Dubuque and the Quad Cities. There was a video posted, it was awesome.

The Illinois river also tends to have lots of bald eagles.

The Big Blue river in SE Nebraska also has quite a few bald eagles.

Great shots!

Thanks, Mike! I went to L&D 11 in Dubuque last January for the first time, and definitely want to go back next month! I'll wait for the weather to get colder again, though. It's in the upper 50's today!! Our forecast is for mild temps for the next week.

Patty

PattyW60 Loc: Northwest Illinois

jack schade wrote:

jack

Thanks for the thumbs-up, Jack!

PattyW60 Loc: Northwest Illinois

Earnest Botello wrote:

Very good series, Patty.

Thank you for your positive words, Earnest! I appreciate it and am glad you enjoyed these eagles!

Patty