The Eagle

[Pappy]

While I was in Florida (actually was in Georgia) I spy'd an Eagle that had just taken down another type of bird. By the time I picked my way to him in a position where I could see him and the light was favorable, he had eaten quite a bit of it.

I geuss some time went by while he was ripping this thing apart and I was focused intently on him because I wanted to catch him when he flew off. I infact was so focused that I never noticed the gator that was less then 20 yards to my right. Not sure if he was there when I snuck up or emerged after I had taken up a spot. I wasn't leaving until I had a chance at that Eagle!

Finally, the small birds around the Eagle pestered him enough that he took flight and I was able to catch him as he flew off. This was my first chance at photographing an Eagle that gave me a half decent set up and while not perfect, I was pretty stoked to have captured what I have here.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3589/3360802119_8856c97302_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3631/3360802121_bc52f05c06_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3653/3360802123_3c0d7376ab_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3574/3360802131_dcd16c7a6a_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3476/3360802137_0bf2220e68_o.jpg

The gator that was way to close for me. After the Eagle left, I back tracked and came back above the gator to get a shot of him, but I couldnt back up enough to get him all in the shot and I wasnt going to get closer

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3583/3360831793_223f6af3b3_o.jpg

[Mxjunkie]

Imagine one of those smacking you in the head as your riding along :eek2: lol

[coryatver]

amazing pictures. there is just something about eagles.

[spiderrider04]

Originally posted by coryatver
amazing pictures. there is just something about eagles.

I agree! I love seeing pics of eagles. Hopefully one day I'll finally get to see one in person.

Nice pics!

[6N8]

What size zoom lens do you use to get so close? I cant take a picture of a dog without scaring it away !
Or is it the talent of hunting that's the ticket?
I have a 300 zoom lens is this good enough or should I be buying
some camouflage pants?

[Pappy]

I use a 300mm 2.8 ...no zoom

Luck, talent and skill....pretty much in that order:p


Study your subject( was hard for me to do because we have very few eagles at home and I was in an area I had never been to...luck)

Know enough about your subject so that you can predict what it will do to the best of your ability( Talent-I spend alot of time with the wildlife, you start to get a feeling about what they might do.)

Put yourself in the best possible position for the shot(Skill- I was able to work my way close enough for the shot without spooking the eagle or getting eaten by an alligator, which provided me the take off shot with decent lighting.)

So...I was lucky enough to find the eagle, talented enough to stalk within range and skillfull enough to make the shots count:D

[6N8]

Thanks!
I'll be at the track would love to meet you!!!

[Ralph]

Originally posted by Pappy


So...I was lucky enough to find the eagle, ....

hows this one for luck,,,

http://gallery.photo.net/photo/8817982-lg.jpg

[Pappy]

I've seen that series before..amazing stuff!

[zwark]

baby eagles

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/287/img0572aaa.jpg (http://img26.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0572aaa.jpg)



and hey, Pappy, how's this for talent :D

Red-tail Hawk

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/3268/img0488n.jpg

[Pappy]

LOL!!!