2015-2016 Eagle Trip

Since moving to Texas I didn’t expect to be able to photograph my beloved Eagles during the winter of the 2015 / 2016 season.  Worked wanted me to travel back to central Illinois, so I went the weekend before to squeeze three days in the field chasing owls and Eagles.

Friday 2/12/16 Day 1 Owls and Eagles

Saturday 2/13/16 Great Horned & Barred Owls

Sunday 2/14/16 was a snow out, guess that is what I deserved for leaving Miss Sharon home only on Valentines Day.  I was scheduled to go after Snowy owls in the morning and Eagles in the afternoon.

Best of the Eagles from Friday and Saturday afternoon sessions. Lot if changing light conditions.  Overall I’m happy with this batch.

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This juvenile was very active both days and had two longer flight feathers so I could always recognize this one.PBKJ4591-FrameShopPBKJ5170-FrameShop

Canon 5DMK3 + 100-400 MK2 and  they still get so close.  This was shot at 100mm.KJ5D3191-FrameShopKJ5D3188-FrameShopKJ5D3218-FrameShop KJ5D3223-FrameShop

One of my new favorites from this trip.PBKJ4688-FrameShop PBKJ4704-FrameShopPBKJ5672-FrameShop PBKJ5704-FrameShop PBKJ5705-FrameShop PBKJ5720-FrameShop PBKJ5739-FrameShop PBKJ5741-FrameShop PBKJ5746-FrameShop PBKJ5748-FrameShop

I still don’t have a Talon to Talon upside down shot 🙁  A third eagle ended up with this fish as it was dropped.PBKJ5826-FrameShop PBKJ5943-FrameShopTheir Talons are so sharp, this guy ended up cutting the head off this fish.  The body ended up falling back into the water and the eagle ended up with only the head.PBKJ5958-FrameShopEnjoy the photos and what you read? Subscribe to be notified of future posts via email by either clicking the Follow button at the bottom or the Subscribe section on the right.

Life is good and I am blessed!

Kent

2016 Owl and Eagle Trip Day 1

The starting temperature was 14, but the wind was howling at 20 MPH plus.  Robert did a great job of showing me all his owl hot spots but with the winds our calls didn’t carry and they were not going to fly.  We called 3 sets of Barred Owls, and had one high fly over late in the morning but no photos were taken.

I did setup on these cardinals and actually called them in.  First this little guy came in and I have no clue what he is.  I think he might be a Downy Woodpecker or a Hairy Woodpecker.  Remember folks I am a photographer not a birder.PBKJ4512-FrameShop I can’t remember who but somebody asked if I had any cardinals, so I called this guy in for his closeup!PBKJ4523-FrameShop The wind was SO strong it messed with the eagles ability to fish.  This one fished with the wind instead of against the wind like normal.

Left to Right EaglePBKJ4812 Classic Right to Left Talon posePBKJ4836 I feel the straight on shots are the hardest to keep in focus.  Straight On!PBKJ5172Day 2 was brown owls in the morning and eagles in the afternoon.  Three to Six inches of snow coming in tomorrow so might have to cut this outing a day early, but going to try to find some Snowy Owls in the morning. Might use Sunday evening for more editing.

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Life is good and I am blessed!

Kent

 

An Eagle a Day for February Day 28

Feb 28: this concludes your eagle a day.  Hope you have enjoyed them,

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Thanks for stopping by, Life is good, and I am blessed!
Kent