Alright, alright, I'll spill the beans. The baldie in the first two shots was sitting on top of a wooden hydro pole. The pole is on the land side of a dyke so it is a perfect perch from which to spot potential prey. So how do I get close? Well, the trick is to pretend you're not really interested in the eagle. In fact, pretend you don't really see it. Approach slowly AND DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE BIRD. As I get closer, I set my camera/tripod down, look around at something else, take a few shots, look around some more. Then after a little while, I move a little closer and repeat. It must look funny as heck to someone else....but it works. The eagle must not see you as a threat.
The 2nd shot was taken in a different location but much the same way.
The 3rd....oh, the 3rd was more special. But I'll make a long story short. Essentially I shot this guy using my SUV as a blind. Every year I make multiple trips up in a valley about 2 hours from where I live. I was lucky to spot this fellow sitting in the forest over a creek. He was so close that I didn't even have to leave my vehicle. And as you probably know, vehicles make pretty good blinds. In the end, I did get busted as can be seen here (better light than the previous one):
Ditto about these all being fantastic Henrik... thanks for sharing how you captured these shots... we all know the feeling of "one more step might spook him."
I like #1 the best, well done.
It looks like he just finished eating in #4, I think I see some blood and leftovers on his beak
KirkB wrote:
Ditto about these all being fantastic Henrik... thanks for sharing how you captured these shots... we all know the feeling of "one more step might spook him."
I like #1 the best, well done.
It looks like he just finished eating in #4, I think I see some blood and leftovers on his beak
Excellent shots, great story... very nice work.
Kirk
Much appreciated Kirk.
And in shot #4, the eagles was probably feasting on some salmon carcass before taking to this perch.
Thank you Bruce. Love your eagle portfolio from Alaska. Gotta make that trip up there one of these years. The eagle lady is not getting any younger...and nor am I.
These are very nice portraits!!! My favorite here is the first image, because of the nice blue BG. I like the technique you shared for getting close to the eagle, I will have to try that on the Red Tails around here!
Great series, Henrik!! Fantastic portraits. Thanks for sharing your technique. The only drawback to your method is that if you don't grab a shot at medium distance before moving to the closeup, the subject might fly away and you are left with nothing.
