It was an eagle kind of day

flygirl

Harry, Robin, Gale and myself went out to Viera Wetlands today and even though the day started out not so good, grey and rainy, in the end, it was not too bad of a day. If anybody questions the ability of the Nikon 70-300VR, then you might want to think again. The flight shots were taken with that lens.

The morning session ended with this eagle



And in the afternoon, when it had cleared, I spotted this eagle diving for a fish. So, I and then Gale, jumped from our cars and started blasting our shutters, as this eagle decided to fly towards US, not the other way, as per normal.





Thanks for looking.

Maestro

Spectacular. Love the detail and to catch the eagle with a fish just makes for a great picture!

flygirl

Maestro wrote:

Spectacular. Love the detail and to catch the eagle with a fish just makes for a great picture!

Thanks!! I was thrilled to bits:D .

bfjr

last 2 very nice

flygirl

bfjr wrote:

last 2 very nice

Thank you very much, Benjamin!

Albert Dickson

#3 ROCKS

dbaker1221

good shooting

Giphsub

Well done! I like the last one best.

Osprey Whisperer

Nice captures Nancy. Great you folks got to see the eagle. I've never had much luck up that way with "Harry's" eagles. Hope to have better luck down here this "season". Guess I better get out looking for the eagles as they seem to be down here for winter already. Working on a Ghillie Net (camo blind thingy) to hopefully get much closer to the action this season. I need an eagle fix...BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD.

flygirl

Albert Dickson wrote:

#3 ROCKS

Thanks, Albert. Yes, #3 was one of those just at the right time shots.

flygirl

dbaker1221 wrote:

good shooting

Thanks Dave. I was so excited when it was happening!!

flygirl

Giphsub wrote:

Well done! I like the last one best.

Thanks Mike. #3 is my fav too. Better yet, I have another one just as good.

flygirl

Bird Man Photographer wrote:

Nice captures Nancy. Great you folks got to see the eagle. I've never had much luck up that way with "Harry's" eagles. Hope to have better luck down here this "season". Guess I better get out looking for the eagles as they seem to be down here for winter already. Working on a Ghillie Net (camo blind thingy) to hopefully get much closer to the action this season. I need an eagle fix...BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD.

Thanks Mike. Have you been up to Joe Overstreet and Three Rivers area near St. Cloud, for they seem to have quite a few eagles around. I am heading down there tomorrow am to check things out.

Osprey Whisperer

flygirl wrote:

Thanks Mike. Have you been up to Joe Overstreet and Three Rivers area near St. Cloud, for they seem to have quite a few eagles around. I am heading down there tomorrow am to check things out.

I have not been to Joe's since last years MI4 return trip. Ron (reggie) and I stopped at Joe's boat launch for a bit. I was lucky enough to capture 3 snail kites playing chase....but no eagles. I don't get out of town much. We've got a few spots in the Sarasota/Venice area that are "usually" pretty good....except when I show up. I plan on being ready for them this season. Got me some snake boots, camo clothes, camo nets and blinds. There is a bald eagle with my name on it here in town. If all else fails...I'll spray paint one of my local ospreys. :ivar

McQ

Those shots are great! I love my 70-300 VR, but I have yet to get anything close to those. Wonderful!
Can you provide info. on how you got the flight shots? Thanks for posting them. They inspire me to keep trying out at the wildlife refuge near me.

BBiggs

I like these shots alot! Nice job

Harryb

I see that I'm going to have to keep you close by. Everytime you are away from me you get some great shots.

flygirl

McQ wrote:

Those shots are great! I love my 70-300 VR, but I have yet to get anything close to those. Wonderful!
Can you provide info. on how you got the flight shots? Thanks for posting them. They inspire me to keep trying out at the wildlife refuge near me.

Thanks McQ!! As far as how, well, practice, practice and then more practice, on all sorts of birds. One really wants at least 1/1000 shutter speed and to get that most of the time one has to be in the iso 400 range. Also, against a bright sky dialing in around -.5 or -.7 exposure comp. But, the big thing is practice panning and tracking. I use the D200 and with the 70-300VR if the operator has things right then all is well. Just keep at it!

flygirl

BBiggs wrote:

I like these shots alot! Nice job

Thank you muchly, Brenton!:D

flygirl

Harryb wrote:

I see that I'm going to have to keep you close by. Everytime you are away from me you get some great shots.

Well, talk about luck! I was thrilled!! We will have to have people looking up as well as all around. Gee, where are those eyes at the back of my head

See ya soon, off to Joe Overstreet

PrescottPhotog

flygirl wrote:

Harry, Robin, Gale and myself went out to Viera Wetlands today

Hi Nancy. After viewing your's and Harry's eagle shots I was once again pumped, that is one of the reasons I went out yesterday. I've seen a couple eagles soaring high in the last couple weeks but none came down until yesterday. Your shots are wonderful and I can appreciate how exciting it was to capture them.

McQ

flygirl wrote:

Thanks McQ!! As far as how, well, practice, practice and then more practice, on all sorts of birds. One really wants at least 1/1000 shutter speed and to get that most of the time one has to be in the iso 400 range. Also, against a bright sky dialing in around -.5 or -.7 exposure comp. But, the big thing is practice panning and tracking. I use the D200 and with the 70-300VR if the operator has things right then all is well. Just keep at it!

Thanks! And I agree that the way to improve is to take a lot of photos. A ton of them. And I will. The exposure comp. is something that I haven't done much with, but I know it makes a huge difference. I just need to learn to adjust it and get a better fine tuning. I also use a D200, so the only thing holding me back from a great photo is me!
Thanks again!