BIF's Bald Eagles, Part III

This is a continuation of what I started in March 2014.  I had intended to post this part sooner, but had a serious shortage of available subjects that were close enough for my 55-250 STM lens.  I'd see some eagles, mostly too far off to get anything I liked.  All that changed starting in July, 2016.  Located an eagle honeyhole, 10 min from where I live.

Here are links for the 1st and 2nd parts of this continueing thread, for those who are interested in reading these.  As I re read these I'm reminded of how informative and helpful some of the people here are.

part I      part II

So now we come to part III, where I will post some of the fruits of my labors.  All of these images were taken bewtween July 2016 and March 2017.  All images taken with the Canon t4i and the Canon 55-250 mm lens.  As hard as it might be to imagine, at times, 55mm was too long.  Feel free to comment, ask questions, offer tips, or your images of BIF's of any kind.  I am continueing to learn and am hopeful that when their eggs hatch that the adults will spend more time at the lake catching food for their young ones.   Currently they sometimes make a fly by, maybe catching a fish and then leave.

this is an immature bald eagle, maybe 4yrs old, not displaying the complete adult plumage.  It has a type of shad in tow.

shutter speed was 1/1000th, too slow to freeze wing movement, but by panning I got this.

my favorite type of eagle images are when their wing feathers are spread out and extended

this one was taken in full sun, my 1st choice for lighting

this shows some of the feather detail in their wings

a cropped image, mountain on the right is Mt Meeker

taken on a very windy day, so the feathers on it's head look a little funky

this is the same bird and fish as the 1st image.  I messed around with some photo editing to see what I could get.  Don't like to spend the time or effort, usually to do that.

Thanks for viewing,

Mike

Wonderful images.  You are indeed fortunate to have these opportunities!!!  Great job!!!

Hi Mike,

Stunning photo's, I love the one where the mountains are in the background. That spell's FREEDOM.

Nice work.

Digirame wrote:

Those are super. You did very well.

Thank you.

I'm envy you being able to find eagles so close to home.

I feel blessed that I have this opportunity.  After the eagles departed in April 2014 I saw few eagles, and those were far off.  This adult pair are tollereant of people, to a point.  People walking, or walking their dog(s) are ignored by them.  They sit and watch as people with their cell phones stop and click away.   For some unknown reason when a real camera appears, they get skittish and nervous.  When one flies directly overhead at less than 10 yds above, that gets me very excited.  55 mm reach is too long, then.  Wish (in hindsight) I'd kept some of those.  Camer/lens/me can't manage to get any in focus, then.  Had one where the bird filled the image almost completely, wings cut off at the elbow joints, but far from sharp.  Got my heart pounding, then.

I can't get within about 200 feet of them before they fly away and that was a long time ago. I haven't seen very many lately.

I'm hoping that their nesting efforts pay off again, and I get to watch them teach their young how to eat and catch fish.  I found that very entertaining.

Mike

T Nels wrote:

Wonderful images.

thank you

You are indeed fortunate to have these opportunities!!! Great job!!!

Yes, very much so.  Happy you enjoyed them and took the time to respond.

Mike

mocha123 wrote:

Hi Mike,

Stunning photo's, I love the one where the mountains are in the background. That spell's FREEDOM.

Nice work.

Hi mocha,

thank you.  This kept me busy from the end of July into Oct, then, things slowed down and the eagles weren't as regular.  From almost every day to infrequent appearances, the adults have been fun.  The 1st and last images were taken within the last 10 days, I think.  Lately when I see them, they are very high and not interested in posing.   Even though they prefer to eat fish, they are opportunists and will dine at the road kill cafe when they can.      If their nesting efforts are productive, in a few weeks they will need to catch a lot more food, and maybe, just maybe, I'll get some more chances.  With their white heads and tails, and dark bodies, trying to get it right can be tough.

Mike

Nice eagle BIFs you got there, Mike! I like the feather detail shots, but I really like the framing where the mountains show some perspective where these majestic birds live.  Not sure from what aspect you're shooting in that one but that looks like it could be Longs Peak behind Meeker.

I hope you get to see some little eaglets soon! From how small they start out, it's amazing how fast they grow in size and weight in a short amount of time.

Nick

dzba wrote:

shutter speed was 1/1000th, too slow to freeze wing movement, but by panning I got this.

Yeah, I find around 1/1600 shows some blur in the pinions that gives a sense of live action.

this one was taken in full sun, my 1st choice for lighting

That's a cracker.

a cropped image, mountain on the right is Mt Meeker

Great context shot.

A general observation - most of these strike me as a little over-lightened in the dark tones. I don't know bald eagles but I expect their dark feathers are quite dark. I would caution against getting carried away with trying to show detail in every dark tone. It's okay for darkness to be dark, despite the insistence of the shadow pushers.

AvyMan wrote:

Nice eagle BIFs you got there, Mike!

Hi Nick,

thanks

I like the feather detail shots, but I really like the framing where the mountains show some perspective where these majestic birds live. Not sure from what aspect you're shooting in that one but that looks like it could be Longs Peak behind Meeker.

One of those images that when 1st viewed I was wishing I had more than 250mm reach.  Then I cropped it some (freeehand, no aspect ratio) from 18 to 12 mp  and liked that effect.

I hope you get to see some little eaglets soon! From how small they start out, it's amazing how fast they grow in size and weight in a short amount of time.

Nick

-- hide signature --

"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order." John Burroughs, American naturalist and essayist 1837-1921.

The pair's nest location is about a mile away,on private property,  and there are many branches blocking the view of it.  National Geographic has a good eagle video that I enjoy watching showing the eagle's challenges of raising babies.

thanks for looking and your feedback,

Mike

Hi Wilba,

I guessed the Austalian slang definition of cracker was different from American slang definition, so I looked it up.    Thanks mate !   Don't know if it is still used as such, but I was called a cracker while in the military, a long time ago.  Had no idea then it was a derogatory term used to describe racists.  A black I'd made friends with quickly put the speaker in his place.  Later he told me that was a term used in Southern USA.

you're right about it being ok to not try and lighten the images too much to show detail.

I will have to keep telling myself that, and accept what I get, given the conditions, equipment and lighting.   For the most part, I have learned it's best to not try for the eagles when there is poor lighting, better off to wait for the sun.  Body looks like someone took a black felt tip marker and colored it in.   Lens/camera is slow to focus and not as sharp  in poor light, too.  Even using exposure compensation,  only do so much can be done.

Thanks for viewing, comments, and insights,

Mike

since some seem interested in feather detail I'm posting an image of a captive eagle that I took recently.   Same lens and camera, used a tripod for this one.

I was surprised at the detail in it's eyebrow area.  Red stuff on it's beak was part of it's breakfast that I interupted.

Mike

dzba wrote:

I guessed the Austalian slang definition of cracker was different from American slang definition, so I looked it up. Thanks mate ! Don't know if it is still used as such, but I was called a cracker while in the military, a long time ago. Had no idea then it was a derogatory term used to describe racists. A black I'd made friends with quickly put the speaker in his place. Later he told me that was a term used in Southern USA.

Ha, I was definitely using the "exceptionally fine" meaning. I had never come across that American slang usage.

For the most part, I have learned it's best to not try for the eagles when there is poor lighting, better off to wait for the sun. Body looks like someone took a black felt tip marker and colored it in. Lens/camera is slow to focus and not as sharp in poor light, too. Even using exposure compensation, only do so much can be done.

Yep, I don't know what causes it but in lower than bright light all the detail is fuzzed away.

Thanks for viewing, comments, and insights,

No wuckers. 

Sorry. Just had to look that one up. LOL!!

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=no%20wuckers

Good one Wilba. 

AvyMan wrote:

Sorry. Just had to look that one up. LOL!!

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=no%20wuckers

Good one Wilba.

It's kinda spoonerised Cockney rhyming slang.