So, I was driving down the road

[Harryb]

Hi you'll,

I was shooting in the Wetlands this morning. I got a late start so I had to skip breakfast. http://dgrin.com/images/smilies/bncry.gif It was fairly quiet and I met these two Canon shooters who I've seen a few times. They were very excited because two eagles had just flown over and they were staking out their spot in anticipation of their return. They invited me to hang with them I declined and said I was going to bop down to MickyDs for a fast breakfast. They said I wasn't going to shoot any eagles at the Golden Arches. Then one said since I was shooting with a Nikon it really made no difference. That hurt. I wished them well and headed out to get me some breakfast.

and as I said I was driving down the road when I saw a vulture chowing down on some roadkill. Then the "vulture" lifted its white head. White head!!!!. Thats no vulture! That's a

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/40662866-L.jpg

Well that late armadillo had attracted 5 eagles so I came to a rather sudden stop and started shooting with my newly repaired D2h
http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/40662858-L.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/40662860-L.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/40662862-L.jpg

I got back to the wetlands and found my Canon pals and told them about the eagles, Never saw two guys pack their gear and move so fast. I finished shooting and was headed out and I saw my pals again and I asked how they made out. They reported that the eagles had left by the time they got there. I felt bad for them. So I headed home and as I said before I was driving down the road when I saw

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/40662869-L.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/40662856-L.jpg

Life is good. http://dgrin.com/images/smilies/icon10.gif

[Ric Grupe]

Yeah...but I bet your stomach was growling. Still given the choice between a Baldy and an Egg McMuffin, I guess you chose wisely.:wink

You and your long lens are going to cost me yet!!!

Terrific. :thumb

[Frank]

Just BEAUTIFUL Harry!

I think #4 is my favorite of this set.

Looks like you put the head on backwards in Photoshop on the last one. :-)

- Frank

[Phil U.]

Wow Harry... Wow.

[Harryb]

Yeah...but I bet your stomach was growling. Still given the choice between a Baldy and an Egg McMuffin, I guess you chose wisely.:wink

You and your long lens are going to cost me yet!!!

Terrific. :thumb
Thanks Ric. I can hear that long glass calling "Ric, Ric, take me home". :rofl

[Awais Yaqub]

You are King in this :wink amazing

[Trish323]

:clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap You are an amazing man...

Driving down the road, Cigarette and cellphone in one hand, coffee, D2H w/500mm on board in the other, steering the car w/ your knees......AND you get shots like this..:rofl

WTG!:thumb Excellent shot ole' eagle eyes:wink

[Osprey Whisperer]

Nice captures, Harry. Now I want you to try that trick on your bicycle....like I do. :uhoh :thumb :thumb Get ready........here comes Wilma. Yabba Dabba Dooooo.. ughm DON'T. Think I'll get some good BIF shots when she's here. :huh


BMP (Bicycle Mounted Photographer)

[PossumCorner]

But the roadkill aspect is sad, wildlife being killed off so badly (everywhere).
I like No 1 as it shows his feet/toes so well, but would put 2 on a calendar.

I speak for the vultures - they are great, why does everyone dump on vultures and the like as "carrion eaters" when majestic eagles aren't above a fast-food call at their horizontal Golden Arches (?White Lines).

Talking calendars, Andy's Lulu info in the minding-business forum is great, is anyone doing a bird calender there (Lulu) or elsewhere??

[Higgmeister]

Nice captures Harry. I love Baldies, scavengers or not, they are beautiful. The crispness in your shots is:wow:wow. #4 is breathless:thumb.

Glad I saw this post,
Chris

[keving54]

Nice captures Harry. I love Baldies, scavengers or not, they are beautiful. The crispness in your shots is:wow:wow. #4 is breathless:thumb.

Glad I saw this post,
Chris
Great shots Harry,

Excellent captures - really beautiful birds. And not so bad for a Nikon either.. ;-)

BTW, what lens were you using? Don't know that much about eagles, but I wonder if they are skittish, or how close they let you approach them?
Regards,
Kevin

[Harryb]

Just BEAUTIFUL Harry!

I think #4 is my favorite of this set.

Looks like you put the head on backwards in Photoshop on the last one. :-)

- Frank
Thanks Frank. The raptors are amazing with their ability to turn their heads. Linda Blair could have taken lessons from them.

[Harryb]

Wow Harry... Wow.
Thank you Phil

[Harryb]

You are King in this :wink amazing
Thank you Awais. Always a pleasure to hear from you.

[erich6]

Awesome shots Harry! Talk about being at the right plance and the right time! :clap :clap

Erich

[rahmonster]

:clapStunning Harry. My he is a majestic bird isn't he? Very handsome. Did he offer you some breakfast?:rofl

[bfjr]

that's what I like, a Man of his words. You said he were going Machine gunning for Eagle and look what you brought home.

Well done Boss :super :bow

[Harryb]

:clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap You are an amazing man...

Driving down the road, Cigarette and cellphone in one hand, coffee, D2H w/500mm on board in the other, steering the car w/ your knees......AND you get shots like this..:rofl

WTG!:thumb Excellent shot ole' eagle eyes:wink
You know when I think about it you're right I am pretty amazing. :lol4

Nah, its just that a man has to do what a man has to do. :lol What the heck does that mean anyhow? :dunno

It would have been a lot easier if they hadn't started building that damned Heritage Isle along the road. Since they started building that accursed place the traffic in that section has increased ridiculously. I lost more shots than I got because of cars whizzing by and blocking my shot and by scaring off the eagles.

Next time you go down to the Wetlands keep an eye out along Wickham right before Heritage Isle. This is the 3rd time in two weeks that I've seen them along that stretch.

[GREAPER]

Great stuff Harry.

At least the Eagles know enough to avoid those canon guys... :bad

[iceman17]

Ya done did it again Harry,fantastic job,I was gonna ask how you get so darn close but I see 700mm focals and I understand (then my heart skipps a beat).#4 is a wall hanger for sure,heck they all are but #4 realy works for me.Im gonna show my wife these shots in the morning and tell her that if I get me a lens like yours,,,well i'll think of something.
I got another chance with a Bald Eagle the other day but he was still to far for any detail,bad lighting and all.
Thanks for sharing these ,I need all the inspiration I can get...ice
Us Nikon shooters gotta stick together.:D

[Harryb]

Nice captures, Harry. Now I want you to try that trick on your bicycle....like I do. :uhoh :thumb :thumb Get ready........here comes Wilma. Yabba Dabba Dooooo.. ughm DON'T. Think I'll get some good BIF shots when she's here. :huh


BMP (Bicycle Mounted Photographer)
Thanks Mike but I don't see myself trying to lug my 500mm on a bike. :uhoh

[Shakey]

Harry I dont think its fair snooker to bait them. And sooner or later the local fishmonger is going to realise there is something fishy in your seafood diet.:fish :D

Tim

[Dee]

Who knows what will fly your way! Amazing shots -- I like the one where the eagle is looking straight at you as if to say, "Oh, a Nikon, well all right I'll give you a split second's pose."

I think we have Eagles in the state of California, but I haven't seen one, so it's neat to see your photos!

Cellphone, coffee and cigarettes? Geesh, you're a drivin' menace! :rofl

It's bad enough to have the camera and lens with you -- that's distraction enough!

Great shots, and I'm glad the call for Mickey Ds led you to a great photo opp!

[Harryb]

But the roadkill aspect is sad, wildlife being killed off so badly (everywhere).
I like No 1 as it shows his feet/toes so well, but would put 2 on a calendar.

I speak for the vultures - they are great, why does everyone dump on vultures and the like as "carrion eaters" when majestic eagles aren't above a fast-food call at their horizontal Golden Arches (?White Lines).

Talking calendars, Andy's Lulu info in the minding-business forum is great, is anyone doing a bird calender there (Lulu) or elsewhere??
Thanks. Its always sad for me to see roadkill because its not natural. At least it provides food for the carrion eaters.

Vultures get a bad name because they are ugly. The caracara is a carrion eater also and gets a much better response.

I was considering doing a calendar but its so close to the end of the year I'm not sure if it would be worth it.

[Harryb]

Nice captures Harry. I love Baldies, scavengers or not, they are beautiful. The crispness in your shots is:wow:wow. #4 is breathless:thumb.

Glad I saw this post,
Chris
hey Chris,

Thanks very much for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I'm glad you enjoyed the shots.

I loved shooting eagles! Every time I see them its like the first time. It is such a thrill. I have shot lots of birds these last few months and I sometimes start getting blasé about it. Then I see an eagle and the thrill is back.

[Harryb]

Great shots Harry,

Excellent captures - really beautiful birds. And not so bad for a Nikon either.. ;-)

BTW, what lens were you using? Don't know that much about eagles, but I wonder if they are skittish, or how close they let you approach them?
Regards,
Kevin
Hiya Kevin,

I used my 80-400VR lens at 400mm for the first shot. I could have gotten to that one but a passing car scared both of us. The rest of the shots were taken at 700mm with my 500mm lens and the 1.4 TC

[Harryb]

Awesome shots Harry! Talk about being at the right plance and the right time! :clap :clap

Erich
Thank you Erich

[Harryb]

:clapStunning Harry. My he is a majestic bird isn't he? Very handsome. Did he offer you some breakfast?:rofl


Thanks. He didn't offer breakfast but I could have helped myself to all the armadillo I wanted. :eat

[Harryb]

that's what I like, a Man of his words. You said he were going Machine gunning for Eagle and look what you brought home.

Well done Boss http://dgrin.com/images/smilies/ylsuper.gif http://dgrin.com/images/smilies/bowdown.gifThanks Ben. There's nothing like having the skill and the equipment to get these shots. Of course getting hungry for breakfast and the opportune placement of roadkill doesn't hurt either. http://dgrin.com/images/smilies/biggrinbounce2.gif

[Harryb]

Great stuff Harry.

At least the Eagles know enough to avoid those canon guys... http://dgrin.com/images/smilies/blbl.gif

Thanks Brian. Its a scientifc fact that bald eagles are turned off by white lenses. http://dgrin.com/images/smilies/roflol.gif

[Harryb]

Ya done did it again Harry,fantastic job,I was gonna ask how you get so darn close but I see 700mm focals and I understand (then my heart skipps a beat).#4 is a wall hanger for sure,heck they all are but #4 realy works for me.Im gonna show my wife these shots in the morning and tell her that if I get me a lens like yours,,,well i'll think of something.
I got another chance with a Bald Eagle the other day but he was still to far for any detail,bad lighting and all.
Thanks for sharing these ,I need all the inspiration I can get...ice
Us Nikon shooters gotta stick together.:D
Thanks Ice. I could have gotten the shots with a 300-400mm lens but the 500mm really makes it a lot easier. I am also just very lucky to be living by the wetlands. Last year I ran into a photographer from Europe who was shooting there and he was amazed. He told me that there was no way he could ever get as close to an eagle in Europe as he could in the Wetlands.

[Ann McRae]

oops, try again

[Ann McRae]

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/40662858-L.jpg
Well this one made me go:jawdrop


until I saw this one, to which my rection was
:jawdrop :jawdrop :jawdrop :bow

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/40662862-L.jpg


absolutely wonderful.

ann

[Harryb]

Harry I dont think its fair snooker to bait them. And sooner or later the local fishmonger is going to realise there is something fishy in your seafood diet.:fish :D

Tim
Hey Tim,

When it comes to getting eagles shots I will use any means at my disposal. :D

[Steve Cavigliano]

Great shots Harry :thumb :thumb


I woulda paid money to watch you shoot #4. The getting down is easy, it's the getting back up that's a problem :rofl

I'm with Ann, #4 knocked my sox off :clap And I was wearin' sandals at the time...lol


Steve

[MuskyDude]

Wow Harry... I think these are amongst your best, which is saying alot. I think I cut my eye on #4.



AJ

[eye-max]

:wow :bow :bow :bow :bow :bow :bow

[Harryb]

Who knows what will fly your way! Amazing shots -- I like the one where the eagle is looking straight at you as if to say, "Oh, a Nikon, well all right I'll give you a split second's pose."

I think we have Eagles in the state of California, but I haven't seen one, so it's neat to see your photos!

Cellphone, coffee and cigarettes? Geesh, you're a drivin' menace! :rofl

It's bad enough to have the camera and lens with you -- that's distraction enough!

Great shots, and I'm glad the call for Mickey Ds led you to a great photo opp!
Hey Dee,

Its terrible driving down here. No matter where you go there's some wildlife. Talk about distracted driving. A couple of times in the wetlands I've almost ended up in the water because I was looking at some wildlife while driving.

Thanks for the kind words on the shots. I've never been that close to eagles before and that includes the zoo.

[Harryb]

Well this one made me go:jawdrop


until I saw this one, to which my rection was
:jawdrop :jawdrop :jawdrop :bow




absolutely wonderful.

ann
Thank you very much Ann. It was just one of those lucky breaks. I have never seen so many eagles in one spot and I have never been able to get to get that close to them before. They must really love armadillo because they kept going back despite the passing cars.

[Michael Allen]

Very inspiring Harry!!!http://dgrin.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif

[Harryb]

Great shots Harry http://dgrin.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif http://dgrin.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif


I woulda paid money to watch you shoot #4. The getting down is easy, it's the getting back up that's a problem http://dgrin.com/images/smilies/yelrotflmao.gif

I'm with Ann, #4 knocked my sox off http://dgrin.com/images/smilies/clap.gif And I was wearin' sandals at the time...lol


SteveHey Steve,

I would have paid money to see it too. It ain't easy with a handheld 500mm lens attached to the camera. If anyone asks you can verify that I do suffer for my "art". http://dgrin.com/images/smilies/kurt.gif

[Harryb]

Wow Harry... I think these are amongst your best, which is saying alot. I think I cut my eye on #4.



AJ
Thanks AJ. I think these are the best eagle shots I've gotten to date. I couldn't believe my luck when I saw two in the road and three more flying in. I couldn't stop my car and get out fast enough.

[Harryb]

:wow :bow :bow :bow :bow :bow :bow
Why, thank you Max

[davev]

Good job Harry.

I had a similar thing happen to me with 4 bald eagles, but I wasn't able
to get any decent shots.:cry

Note to self: stay in the car when you happen upon wildlife.

[Trish323]

You know when I think about it you're right I am pretty amazing. :lol4

Nah, its just that a man has to do what a man has to do. :lol What the heck does that mean anyhow? :dunno

It would have been a lot easier if they hadn't started building that damned Heritage Isle along the road. Since they started building that accursed place the traffic in that section has increased ridiculously. I lost more shots than I got because of cars whizzing by and blocking my shot and by scaring off the eagles.

Next time you go down to the Wetlands keep an eye out along Wickham right before Heritage Isle. This is the 3rd time in two weeks that I've seen them along that stretch.

Harry,

I always check out that place near heritage. I have not been as lucky as you though. I DID see an eagle sitting on the ground near a building site in W. Melbourne Yesterday! Of course nikon has my camera so I can't prove it:cry The large puddles are making everywhere a photo op these past few days...we have had lots of flooding here. I wouldn't even attempt the wetlands right now even if i did have my camera...the roads are sooo bad. I bet ya they close it off for a while.

[Harryb]

Very inspiring Harry!!!http://dgrin.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif
Thank you Michael

[Harryb]

Good job Harry.

I had a similar thing happen to me with 4 bald eagles, but I wasn't able
to get any decent shots.:cry

Note to self: stay in the car when you happen upon wildlife.
That must have been a bummer Dave. I had hoped to get more shots in myself but the passing traffic scared them off.

[ginger_55]

Cool shots, Harry. I thought so when I first saw them.

It bothers me, though, that the eagle has so little class as to eat like a vulture.

I do love the "in the grass" shots. I am going to try to forget why the bird was down there in the first place.

I may start disliking raptors myself, like your wife. I suppose they keep our roads clean.

ginger:D

[Harryb]

Harry,

I always check out that place near heritage. I have not been as lucky as you though. I DID see an eagle sitting on the ground near a building site in W. Melbourne Yesterday! Of course nikon has my camera so I can't prove it:cry The large puddles are making everywhere a photo op these past few days...we have had lots of flooding here. I wouldn't even attempt the wetlands right now even if i did have my camera...the roads are sooo bad. I bet ya they close it off for a while.
Hey Trish,

I was at the wetlands on Thursday and the roads are a bit better than they were a few weeks ago. You never know with this weather. i've been at the wetlands in sunshine while it was pouring at my house. If we get hit hard (unlikely) by Wilma you may see a temporary closure.

I've been seeing eagles just about everyday. One flew in real close on Thursday but took off before I could get any decent shots. I was sitting on my patio this morning and an eagle flew right over my pool enclosure. He was only 6 feet above the screen. I may have to keep a camera on the patio in the future. :D