This morning I went back to the same spot that I've been going to for the last
several days. Evidently, as the eagles are moving north, when they look down and spot other eagles, they figure that those birds must have found a good place to find food, and they join the group. Thus, the "congregation" grows. At this location, a few days ago, there were over 500 birds within about a 1/4 mile area.
By today, the number was down to about half that, and, as the time I spent there went on, I could see the number getting smaller. Within a couple more days, they should all be gone. Still, what I experienced was genuinely awesome. I saw dozens of birds roosting on the same tree, fights over fish, and birds roosting as close to me as I've ever seen. I shot over 3 1/2 gb worth of pictures without ever getting out of my truck. This first bird had just taken off from the ice on a channel of the river. Taking off is quite a job for a large bird. When they take off from a tree, they normally drop quite a distance as they are getting air under their wings.
When they take off from the ice, they don't have the luxury of being able to drop.
This bird, at the time the picture was taken, was about 300 feet from where it had taken off, and, by then, was only a few feet off the ground.
Les
This winter, I have not had many chances to take pictures of eagles on the ice or on the ground. It was a treat, today, to be able to take pictures of may birds on the ice and ground and to have them so close that they pretty much filled the viewfinder. Here is one that was on the ice.
Les
Lou, I am so glad that you posted #4 with the branch in the photo. Now I know you are not perfect with only flawless opportunities. Not that it is not better than most of our efforts. I love the wing spread and implied power in #1. Keepup the good work, as the rest of us slave away at our jobs. Love your work. Bruce
Les,
I love the one with the eagle on the ground. It is so different. He has a drop of water on his beak and his feathers seem to be flying in the breeze. It is wonderful. -Cindy
Les,
that first shot is amazing in that it so effectively illustrates the real size and scale of the bird and what it has to get aloft from a running start.
Amazing. I don't know what we'll do when these guys all migrate. Fuel up the truck and head north, my friend!
These are all great, but I also like the first one best. There is just something about a large bird in flight that is awe inspiring, and that first one cptures the awe.
BurtR wrote:
Very impressive pictures Les. Where were they taken?
Burt
Burt,
Thanks much for the look and for the comments. They were taken along the Mississippi near Dubuque, Iowa. These were actually taken on the Illinois side of the river in an area where the eagles gather as they move north.
Les
jacko wrote:
Like all these shots, but really like the first one. Something so majestic about an eagle in flight. Great capture.
Jack
Jack,
I appreciate the look and the comments. I keep saying that, even if I don't get decent pictures, watching them is inspiring. My pictures just don't capture how inspiring it is to watch them.
Les
Les, I've been lurking on your eagle threads and enjoying them immensely. You have so many great images and I second the idea that you should create a book of these!
I am in Minnesota and am interested if you know how soon this flock might be heading up my way and where they might be found. I would love to try and photograph them!
B Benson wrote:
Lou, I am so glad that you posted #4 with the branch in the photo. Now I know you are not perfect with only flawless opportunities. Not that it is not better than most of our efforts. I love the wing spread and implied power in #1. Keepup the good work, as the rest of us slave away at our jobs. Love your work. Bruce
Bruce,
Thanks for the look and for the comments. I really don't mind branches and twigs as long as they are not covering parts of the head or anything else critical. Sometimes, I think they give a sense of the environment.
Les
