Bald Eagle, 7 hr stalk
Ok, so he is a bit soft. This was a preliminary shot, I always take shots as I approach a bird, for insurance. Good thing I did here, HE LEFT! Before I got there. I couldn't even find his tree.
I was gone so long on this, 7 hrs, they came looking for me in a truck. It was time to close, I was on my way in. I did find out how to "see" the nest from the guy who picked me up. Now, I need a 1000 mm lens.
I did it as a poster, it is too soft to be really large, but by gum, I walked most of that 7 hrs, am exhausted, and this is my eagle, until I find another, or get him good.
Comments!!! Especially on a longer lens. I put both of my extensions on at one point, on the 400. I taped the 1.4 whatever, while I was watching the vultures play. It works, but slowly. I am sure I used it here. I had my monopod. It was a real pain!
I tried for more contrast here, maybe should try for more, used LAB.
Here is the original, as it came from RAW:
Comments, complements, criticism, all that jazz is welcome,
ginger (What lens would you all use? Yes, I am going to buy a tripod. No, I could not have carried Bill's tripod. And he was working. I carried all my lenses and stuff in my backpack, my water in my pocket and wore too many jackets)
Exif: f 8, 400 ISO, 400 mm (I had the extender on, I know I did, so it was really 500 or something like that, the factor is 1.6), 1/500, EV 1.33
I was gone so long on this, 7 hrs, they came looking for me in a truck. It was time to close, I was on my way in. I did find out how to "see" the nest from the guy who picked me up. Now, I need a 1000 mm lens.
I did it as a poster, it is too soft to be really large, but by gum, I walked most of that 7 hrs, am exhausted, and this is my eagle, until I find another, or get him good.
Comments!!! Especially on a longer lens. I put both of my extensions on at one point, on the 400. I taped the 1.4 whatever, while I was watching the vultures play. It works, but slowly. I am sure I used it here. I had my monopod. It was a real pain!
I tried for more contrast here, maybe should try for more, used LAB.
Here is the original, as it came from RAW:
Comments, complements, criticism, all that jazz is welcome,
ginger (What lens would you all use? Yes, I am going to buy a tripod. No, I could not have carried Bill's tripod. And he was working. I carried all my lenses and stuff in my backpack, my water in my pocket and wore too many jackets)
Exif: f 8, 400 ISO, 400 mm (I had the extender on, I know I did, so it was really 500 or something like that, the factor is 1.6), 1/500, EV 1.33
After all is said and done, it is the sweet tea.
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Comments
What a great story! I know nothing about long lenses, shooting birds, etc., but I certainly admire your determination. Congratulations
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Well, I have the same problems with wanting a looong lens !! I tried my hand recently at a digiscope - gets you a 1000mm, but it's not so sharp and a little unwieldy - or maybe I need more practice, but that's something you can look into.. If you need more info - there's some online stuff on digiscoping I can find you..
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Setup: One camera, one lens, and one roll of film.
I came on to check things out before I close up for good.
The interesting thing is that I know where the nest is now. One has to stand in exactly the correct spot, nowhere near any of this, look, over, under and through some trees to private property beyond this wildlife area.
I found out today that it is a hunting club. I guess the eagle was sunning where I wasn't, I had been there, walked back, the eagle came out, a group, the only other people there, they told me about it. Said the eagle was sitting pretty until the gunshot!
I have been hearing guns lately. Now I would know why at Caw Caw, and I certainly have heard that sound before! While looking for birds, too.
Anyway, by going often and hanging out at that place with the loooong walk, I could probably get a better shot of this eagle, IF I were there at exactly the right time, which implies OFTEN.
However the nest is another story. I was not sure where the ranger was telling me to look, so I photographed it, so we could look when we got back to the bldg. He then pointed out the nest. The female was on the nest.
Now, I still had the extender on. HAHA, he said, "you need a tripod". I said "I know, but you took a photo". He said he was shaking, I laughed and said he needed a tripod.
I will work up something from that nest. To watch things develop with the eagles, I just think I need something better than this. Remember, it is only from one spot this can be seen. Something like a mile away.
ginger
There is only one spot, not another one, just one, where this can be seen. There must be a better way to record developments.
That was with the 400 plus 1.4 extender. OK, it was handheld, I was with the ranger and it was past closing time. However, it is missing some identifying pixels, I think. I just don't think a tripod will make a miracle here, well the eagle is going that, but you all know what I mean.
Oh, dear, oh, dear,
ginger
Boy, what a hike, I'm glad you got a shot at 'em.
Way to go! I see the eagle in the nest. Hats off to you all round
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