Wanted some sunrise shots - long post

[Harryb]

Hi Y'all,

I left my house early yesterday in some rather nippy weather for Florida to catch some sunrise shots at the Viera Wetlands. I had my 17-35 and my 28-70 set up on my D2X and D200 and I thought it would be a nice break from bird pics. Then as I drove down the road leading to THE TREE I saw this scene.

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/105305198-O.jpg

Screw the sunrise I thought as I switched lenses on my cameras those are eagles!!!!!

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/105305257-O.jpg

The light got better as the sun rose but one eagle left and didn't come back.
http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/105305264-O.jpg

As the sun rose I moved towards the back of the eagle where he wasn't back lit. I just got into place when he flew off. I sighed and took down the camera and took off the 500mm lens and TC. I then turned around to get the tripod and saw that the eagle had returned. So I put the 500 and the 1.4 TC back on the D2X and took some more shots.
http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/105305268-O.jpg

He flew off again, showing his butt to me all the way so no shots. I waited a bit and a bit longer but he didn't return. So I took down the camera, went back and took down the tripod, As I put the tripod away I turned and saw that the eagle had landed. So I set up the tripod and the camera and took some more shots.
http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/105305275-O.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/105305295-L.jpg

Now I was going to wait until hell froze over so I waited and waited and waited. As I went to my car to get a drink of water he flew back but I fooled him as I had my D200 and 80-40 with me.
http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/105305211-O.jpg
Well he flew off, butt shot of course and I waited longer this time but no return. :cry Sooo I packed up my gear and drove off. I looked in my rear view mirror and saw that the eagle had returned again. So I drove around the wetlands to get back to the spot (all the roads are one way and there ain't no room for a u-turn).By this time we had attracted some company
http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/105305226-O.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/105305236-L.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/105305240-L.jpg

The eagle flew off again, showing butt all the way, naturally. I went over to the cars, I figured the Canon shooter especially needed some help :D , and told them to stand by as the eagle probably would return. As I was telling this to the second shooter I saw his eyes get big and he started to shoot because the eagle was returning. I was skunked again but I got a few more shots in.
http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/105305310-O.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/105305319-O.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/105305326-O.jpg

I ended up spending close to 4 hours at that spot. It was good to see THE TREE back in the game. The lighting was especially challenging as I started out shooting with an ev adjustment of +0.3 and ended up at a -1.3 adjustment.

[BlueHoseJacket]

Dang Harry,

I got frustrated just reading your post, I can't imagine how frustrated you must have been...setup ...breakdown...setup...breakdown...you guys shooting wildlife have much more patience than me.

Goog shots by the way.

[Dee]

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/105305319-S.jpg

Looks like it's saying, "Go away Harry and leave me alone!!!"

[Dee]

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/105305226-S.jpg

This really puts in perspective the tree and the eagle, I had no idea the tree was that tall!

[Richard]

They are all wonderful, but #4 is my favorite. Great light and detail. :barb

Cheers,

[dbaker1221]

Gosh Harry.. that must be a big disapointment not getting any sunrises.

I feel your pain. But all was not lost !!!!!!

the car & van photos were outstanding!!:D :rofl

Fantastic series & story.

[raptorcaptor]

Great shots Harry! :clap :barb :clap

[Harryb]

Dang Harry,

I got frustrated just reading your post, I can't imagine how frustrated you must have been...setup ...breakdown...setup...breakdown...you guys shooting wildlife have much more patience than me.

Goog shots by the way.

I was frustrated with myself. If I actually had a bit more patience I could had saved myself the setup-breakdown-set up game,

Thanks for stopping by.

[Lardog]

I was frustrated with myself. If I actually had a bit more patience I could had saved myself the setup-breakdown-set up game,

Thanks for stopping by.
I think the eagle was messing with you and knew exactly what it was doing.:rofl

Anyways, nice shots. I really like the colors on the first one

[jwear]

ah the TREE :huh or eagle stick -I am thinking :rolleyes we have no eagle stick in so cal :cry nice shooting :thumb

[Harryb]

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/105305319-S.jpg

Looks like it's saying, "Go away Harry and leave me alone!!!"

I've heard that a few times before from feathered birds and the unfeathered kind also. :D

[Harryb]

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/105305226-S.jpg

This really puts in perspective the tree and the eagle, I had no idea the tree was that tall!

Thanks, that's the reason I took the shot. I've posted lots of shots of THE TREE but I never really gave it any kind of perspective.

[pathfinder]

I feel your pain Harry!!:rofl :rofl

[ian408]

I really do need to retire to FL :D

Another great set of images...

[Dick on Aruba]

Well..what a day...but it was worthed the 4 hours! Nice captures.

Thanks for sharing.

Dick.

[Harryb]

They are all wonderful, but #4 is my favorite. Great light and detail. :barb

Cheers,

Thanks for the kind words Richard.

[Rhuarc]

Sweet Light
Sweet Subject
Sweet Timing

What more could you ask for!!! Great shots Harry. Especially fond of the early morning shots with the sweet light. Someday I hope to see a Bald Eagle that close in the wild.

[Harryb]

Gosh Harry.. that must be a big disapointment not getting any sunrises.

I feel your pain. But all was not lost !!!!!!

the car & van photos were outstanding!!:D :rofl

Fantastic series & story.

I'm glad somebody understands. I went out for some sunrise shots and all I came home with were these lousy eagle shots. :cry

:smile6

[Seamus]

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/105305310-O.jpg

The eagle even did a scene from the exorcist:rofl I would have started running when his head started to swivel :yikes ... great series H... and perfect exposures. All of the detail in the feathers and the highlights aren't blown :bow

[Harryb]

Great shots Harry! :clap :barb :clap

Thak you Glenn.

[Harryb]

I think the eagle was messing with you and knew exactly what it was doing.:rofl

Anyways, nice shots. I really like the colors on the first one

Thnaks Larry and I agree with you about the bird. Birds are basically evil creatures and they know a lot more baout photography than they let on. They will always take care to be backlit, to be in shadows, to have at least one twig or blade of glass in front of them, to stay just outside the effective range of whatever lens you are using, and they will always wait until you are looking away, changinging settings, whatever to do something amazingly interesting. :pissed

[Ric Grupe]

The "Exorcist"! :rofl

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/105305275-M.jpg

Great set, Harry.:thumb

That first one would make a terrific poster.

[Awais Yaqub]

Beautiful set as always :clap

[Harryb]

ah the TREE :huh or eagle stick -I am thinking :rolleyes we have no eagle stick in so cal :cry nice shooting :thumb

Yes THE TREE is making an impressive comeback. :clap Everybody should have such a tree.

Thanks.

[ehughes]

Awesome stuff Harry, how close are you actually able to get to the tree and the Eagles still be comfortable?

[Osprey Whisperer]

:clap :clap The eagles are coming back. Glad you ran into this one. Nice series of shots Harry. Mike and I saw a few the other day. Boy..what I wouldn't give for a shiny white 500mm lens. :D Keep 'em coming.

[Harryb]

Awesome stuff Harry, how close are you actually able to get to the tree and the Eagles still be comfortable?

Thanks Ed. This eagle was very comfortable with people. At one point he had three cars parked by the tree with shooters snapping away, me with my 500mm on a tripod failry close, and a pair of birders snapping away with P&Ss right in front of the tree. One of the shots shows close to the tree they got. The tree is about 40'-50' feet high and sits in the water about 6 feet from the shore and we were just a few yards from the shore line ourselves. We got as close to the tree as we could w/o entering the water.

I was amazed because the eagles last year would never had tolerated us that close and would have taken off immediately. This one though hung around, flying in and out for a good 4 hours plus.

[Harryb]

I feel your pain Harry!!:rofl :rofl

:clap :clap somebody at last understands. :lol4

[Harryb]

I really do need to retire to FL :D

Another great set of images...

Thanks Ian. Everyone should retire to Florida.

[JamieC]

I got a kick out of the people shooting paparazi style from their cars... are they afraid of the birds? Never seen an Eagle myself, though we have 'em around here.

Jamie

[Harryb]

Well..what a day...but it was worthed the 4 hours! Nice captures.

Thanks for sharing.

Dick.

Thaks Dick, it was a great 4 hours.

[Harryb]

Sweet Light
Sweet Subject
Sweet Timing

What more could you ask for!!! Great shots Harry. Especially fond of the early morning shots with the sweet light. Someday I hope to see a Bald Eagle that close in the wild.

Thnaks Wendell. You should have lots oof eagle opps in your new location.

[Harryb]

The eagle even did a scene from the exorcist:rofl I would have started running when his head started to swivel :yikes ... great series H... and perfect exposures. All of the detail in the feathers and the highlights aren't blown :bow

Thanks Shay, it's a good thing raptors can do a 180 with their heads or all I would have had in the light was eagle butt. :D

The exposure was a constant challenge as it was continually changing. I took over 250 shots of the eagle and had to flush many of them because of blown highlights.,

[Harryb]

The "Exorcist"! :rofl

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/105305275-M.jpg

Great set, Harry.:thumb

That first one would make a terrific poster.

Thanks Ric. I'm still thinking about what to do with that shot. You're the second person to suggets a poster.

[Harryb]

Beautiful set as always :clap

Thank you Awais :wave

[Harryb]

:clap :clap The eagles are coming back. Glad you ran into this one. Nice series of shots Harry. Mike and I saw a few the other day. Boy..what I wouldn't give for a shiny white 500mm lens. :D Keep 'em coming.

Hey Mike,

I had seen one eagle before but this was the first time this season I've seen a pair. You wouldn't need a5 500mm for the one that hung out for 4 hours. You could have gotten close enought to get decent shots (with a little bit of cropping of course) with a 200mm and and a TC.

I hope to run into them aagain and get some more shots.

[Harryb]

I got a kick out of the people shooting paparazi style from their cars... are they afraid of the birds? Never seen an Eagle myself, though we have 'em around here.

Jamie

That was mostly courtesy to me. They saw me set up already and they were afraid that they might spook the eagle if they got out of their cars. Normally when you see another shooter already in position and taking shots you want to be extremely careful if you approach. If you scare the subject off you can have a very irrate shooter to deal with.