This year’s early cold snap had driving the American Bald Eagles down the Mississippi River and into Illinois 3 to 4 weeks early this year. However, it has been so gray, overcast, or foggy that nobody has been getting any decent photos. I usually never start traveling to photograph eagles until after Christmas. Cabin fever and boredom was setting in!
Finally yesterday (Friday 12/20/15) a sunny day. I grabbed my gear and headed to my favorite spot to photograph my beloved Eagles. Their was 30 – 40 eagles fishing WAY out by the damn, but nothing happening in near the lock. Took a couple shots of some birds sitting in the parking lot trees.
Classic Banking Pose
Action was slow so I was working on my tracking and focus on sea gulls when I caught this one eating a fish mid flight.
Heard a ton of clicking of shutters from photographers around me, turned around to see them firing this female goldfinch behind me. So I thought I better take a couple too.
Put my 2 X teleconverter on my 500mm and tried to squeeze out a couple mid-air fight sequence. These birds are WAY out there!
A lone eagle buzzed a flock of Speckle Bellied Geese resting on the ice. The all got up and took to the air. I caught them flying past the lock’s traffic light.
Heavy crop, but the rare “upside-down” eagle. I still don’t have a full frame talon to talon shot. Maybe this will be the year. Guess that is why I keep going back.
Sometimes I wonder how many more eagles photograph I really need, I think it is more of an excuse to get out an just watch and enjoy them!
More eagles trips to come!
Kent
