Lock & Dam 14 Mississippi River Bald Eagle Fishing Sequence

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Kent Jarrett

Last Friday 2/7/14 was a perfect day for me at Lock and Dam 14. I am guessing 80 to 100 photographers were there. I arrived around 10:30 am negative 9 degrees (-9), warmed up to a balmy 14 when I left 6 1/2 hours later. The action was non stop 1297 activations. I have TONS to edit, I even had to back up because I was clipping too many wings with the 500mm. Several of the local guys I know over there switched to 70-200mm. I didn’t take mine that day, so I was forced to stay with the 1DX and my trusty 500mm.

Have I told anybody lately how pleased I am with my Canon 1DX purchase and my 500mm pairing!!!!

A complete fishing series of 8 captured at 14 FPS. This was one of the first time I have witness an adult miss the fish. L&D 14 has taken some heat lately for baiting but I was there both Friday 2/7 and Saturday 2/8 in the snow and I witnessed NO baiting.

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Thanks for stopping by!
Kent

Boy Scouts Of America

Posted on January 21, 2014 by Kent Jarrett

Always feels good to give back! I feel blessed to be able to do so.

I was contacted by a local Boy Scout troop about using a couple of my eagle prints as motivation for their Eagle Scouts. Of course I said yes. The Scout Master wanted quotes from the founder of the Boy Scouts Of America on one, and from a famous scout leader on the other. I was happy to help! They had them printed locally instead of using my printer which made me nervous, but they came out great. I also thought it was a nice touch, that they insisted in leaving my watermark on to give me photo credit and to instill the importance to the boys about giving back. The prints are 24″ X 36″.

Thanks for stopping by!
Kent

Recap of the last 3 days shooting Eagles at Lock and Dam 14 (1/1, 1/2, 1/3)

Posted on January 7, 2014 by Kent Jarrett

Wednesday I was told to get out of the house so Sharon could take down all the Christmas decorations. By the time I got to L&D 14, it was a driving snow storm. There were some eagles working, but the snow really messed with the focus and sharpness of the photos.

Thursday was the best day with a west wind which meant head on fishing!

Friday, the day started out at -9 degrees with 20 – 25MPH winds. Wind chill was -30 at least. It made the water really rough and the eagles struggled to lock onto fish. Since I already got lucky this year with several full frame fishing sequences, I am trying to focus in getting an in air fight series. Saw a few fights, but WAY out. Every time there was 2 or 3 birds close to each other I started tracking, just practicing my framing and back button focusing. Every once in a while my shutter finger would slip and click off a couple.

Here are some fruits of my labor from 1/1, 1/2, and 1/3.

As always C&C is welcomed, and I’ll be headed back on Saturday the 11th for Larry’s Annual cookout.

Thanks for stopping by!

Kent

1 of 52: 2014

Posted on January 4, 2014 by Kent Jarrett

For the past 2 years, 104 straight weeks I have done a photo a week for my 52 week project. The last one ended around the end of September 2013, so I decided to wait until the new year and have the next one follow the calendar year.

Not going to post them to Facebook as in the past only here.

Here are links to the past 2 years:

2012 52 Week Project

2013 52 Week Project

It is kind of fun to look back onto how my style and editing has changed over 2 years.

Thanks for stopping by!

Kent

Eagles and the Canon 1DX

Posted on December 28, 2013 by Kent Jarrett

Well, I finally pulled the trigger and got the best Canon body made. I received my new 1DX the Wednesday before Christmas. I got it early for Eagles. Then the weather turned cold which made the eagles 3 to 4 weeks ahead of schedule. They are already South of the Quad Cities. I wanted more time to get used to the body before going into battle, but I went into battle with a one night crash course!

Here are a few series of Fishing Eagles.