Had a lot of fun visiting with this pair of eagles yesterday. Quite animated and entertaining. Here they seem to be showing off for the camera. 😉 Have a great weekend, everyone!
Bald Eagle focuses on the landing
I took a day off yesterday and of course used the opportunity to head out and take some pictures. The first few hours were pretty bleak with few captures on my camera’s card but then things changed quickly. In southern Weld County, Colorado I came across not one but two pairs of Bald Eagles within a quarter mile of each other.
One pair was pretty skittish so I left them alone but the other seemed to love all the attention I was giving them. They gave me some nice shots of them posing, eating, and of course flying.
Here, the male comes in for a landing on the utility pole they were hanging out on. It is a pretty impressive view showcasing those massive wings, the determined and aggressive look, and of course those powerful talons. I hope you have a great Freedom Friday and fantastic weekend!
Bald Eagle proves to be a great test subject
So I got me a new toy – a Sigma 150-600 Sport lens – and since receiving it Monday, hadn’t been able to test it out. Today after work I made a quick trip out north of Denver International Airport and found quite a few opportunities, including this handsome guy (or pretty gal).
It provided me lots of great poses to practice with and even some flight shots although shadows made those less than ideal. If you look close, you can see this bird is banded and in fact, in looking at other shots I took of it where the tag can be read, this is an eagle that I took pictures of last year in the exact same spot. Glad to have it back for the season!
“That’s close enough, bub!”
This Bald Eagle looks like he doesn’t appreciate my presence but in fact he proved to be one of the most tolerant eagles I have ever had the pleasure of spending time with. Taken last month, I came across it by chance while walking through St. Vrain State Park, Colorado. It had itself well-concealed within a tree and barely visible. Finally, it chose to move to a location where I could get decent pics. After sitting for a while again, it moved to another location. Then another. It couldn’t have cared less about me being there and I got more than my fill of pictures of it.
Have a great Freedom Friday and weekend, everyone!
Where are you going, idiot?
“Where are you going, idiot?” That is what I tend to think this gorgeous Bald Eagle was saying to me as I walked away from it a couple weeks ago. Why? Because I learned that the next time there is a time change, change the time on ALL of your watches, not just the one or two you happen to wear most of the time. Otherwise, you end up thinking it is an hour later than what it really is and cut short a fantastic photo session with an extraordinarily cooperative Bald Eagle. 🙁 #DumbPhotographer
Eagle makes a picture perfect landing
It’s Freedom Friday and today I feature an image from last week. The male of this pair of Bald Eagles decided to go for a quick flight tour around the lake. As it returned, I captured a sequence of images of it approaching and landing with this one being the best of the bunch. The morning light really did a fantastic job of illuminating those massive wings.
Video: Bald Eagle chows down on a fish for breakfast
I don’t normally shoot video but this pretty lady was quite content to eat her entire meal right in front of me so I took advantage of the opportunity. Here in Colorado you are almost more likely to find Bald Eagles eating prairie dogs so getting to watch one dine on fish was kind of fun.
A better way to spend Black Friday
I suppose I could have gone shopping but then if I had done that, I would have missed having sushi with this pretty lady. 😉
Bald Eagle makes an early morning launch
This female is from a mated pair in the area of Longmont, Colorado that I have been visiting recently. Last Saturday, soon after the sun rose, they weren’t too inclined to hang out and pose but she did give me a nice series as she took flight. This image does a nice job showcasing her impressive 6 foot wingspan and gives a good look at those deadly talons.
Bald Eagles are believed to have a grasp capable of exerting an astonishing 400psi. By comparison, the average human’s hand comes in around 20psi. Needless to say, when an eagle latches on to a rabbit, prairie dog or fish, the prey isn’t very likely to get away.
I’ll be avoiding the BlackFriday crowds and instead opting to try to spend some time with some of these majestic creatures today. That should be much more fun and much less stressful! 😉 For those of you in Colorado, all Colorado State Parks are offering free admission today so maybe take advantage of that and do your shopping online, perhaps at http://tony-hake.pixels.com/.
Bald Eagle showcases its hunting prowess
I was watching a mated pair of Bald Eagles when the male suddenly departed. Over the years I’ve learned to stay focused on the one still around as if one leaves, the other will soon follow. Such was not the case this time. Instead, the male came back and brought its breakfast with it – a Killdeer. Killdeer are small shorebirds, not something Eagles would usually dine on. Apparently this guy is not a picky eater!
Taken near Longmont, Colorado.