Eagles of Prince William Sound

NorthernFocus · June 12, 2008

I was feeling pretty self concious about trying to claim wildlife photography as a hobby, living in Alaska, and not having any images of Bald Eagles. So over the past couple of weeks I set out to rectify that. With newfound skills from spending this spring capturing images of geese and cranes, I was hoping I would be up to the task. Finding eagles was no problem because we boat on Prince William Sound in the summer and there are plenty around. Getting close enough for decent images is another story, but I figured spend enough hours and the laws of averages have to kick in sooner or later.

Two weeks ago had my first almost. Did OK except only captured a headless bird.

Then this past weekend, things finally came together a little better.

Giphsub · June 12, 2008

Wow! Awesome shooting

Those last few are beautiful captures!

dbaker1221 · June 12, 2008

love eagles....you have some fantastic captures

:ivar

Harryb · June 12, 2008

#5 and 6 are outstanding.

Alaska is on my short list of place to go for photography. I love the eagle images I see from Alaskan locations.

cmorganphotography · June 12, 2008

#5 looks like he's coming in for a landing and making the "nnneeerrrrrroommm" airplane crash landing noise. Even though you didn't get the head in the first two they are still very beautiful and crisp.

NorthernFocus · June 12, 2008

Thanks for looking and commenting, folks. My personal favorite is the one with the mountain in the background. That one just screams ALASKA to me. Making these captures was a blast

. I'm glad you enjoyed looking at them too.

Ric Grupe · June 12, 2008

Yep...the fifth one belongs on a poster over a massive fireplace in some upper scale lodge.

dlplumer · June 12, 2008

Love them all. Perseverance pays. Great job

Awais Yaqub · June 12, 2008

Wow amazing work !

NorthernFocus · June 12, 2008

Thanks for the comments, guys. One of the things that sustains me in life is the old expression, "even a blind squirrel finds an acorn every now and then". I am getting more and more patient the more I shoot.

Hikin' Mike · June 12, 2008

Hey Dan, nice to see you here too! Nice series.

Maestro · June 12, 2008

Incredible images but that last is special.

WildWally · June 12, 2008

Great shots !!!!

jonh68 · June 12, 2008

I sympathize with your first attempts and

for the last three.

raptorcaptor · June 12, 2008

Nice photos!

coscorrosa · June 13, 2008

Outstanding!!! The one with the mountain in the background is spectacular, though they're all really good. I've always thought that with wildlife shooting quantity equals quality, and with digital, there's no additional cost.

These inspire me to go out and get some more eagle shots (I have a few, none of them are as good as these). They won't come in large numbers around here (Seattle area) until early next year, but I still see them probably once a week or so (usually too far away to get a decent photo). That Alaska vacation idea is starting to gain momentum...

JAG · June 13, 2008

super job! You did great! I have a horrible time getting good eagle pics. I also live in AK too and wish I could get down to Whittier more often. I went last year one time on my bro in laws boat...but it was rough going once we got out on open water! Not much to catch either. I am hoping to get down to Homer and see that eagle lady....maybe I can get some shots off there.

Have a great summer...I hope it warms up some though.

NorthernFocus · June 13, 2008

Hey, Mike. Looks like we have the same taste in web forums.

Thanks for looking and commenting, Walt, Glenn, and Stephen.

John, you'd feel even sorrier for my wife if you could have seen her trying to keep me from throwing my camera overboard out of frustration a few times. I have to say that feedback from folks here in the forums has helped me to persevere.

Ron, you oughta be able to score some pretty good captures there on the Skagit River. We went there once years ago and saw plenty of birds but it was raining too hard to do any good.

JAG, watcha mean hope it warms up? We're expecting 75 degrees tomorrow here in Fairbanks. If you're going to visit the eagle lady, you better do it this winter. I think this is her last year. I know a couple people who have been down there. I've wanted to go but it's a 1200 mi. RT from here. I've been chasing them in the Sound for three years. This past weekend things finally came together.

Now I've got my eye on a salmon stream to visit in a couple weeks when the pinks start to run. That won't offer much in the way of action images (they just sit around and eat) but I'm hoping to get some closeups and group shots.

Thanks again everyone for the encouragement.

evil eggplant · June 13, 2008

very nice
Better than my very best, a truly good job. Congrats on some fine captures.

JAG · June 13, 2008

articblooms wrote:

Hey, Mike. Looks like we have the same taste in web forums.

JAG, watcha mean hope it warms up? We're expecting 75 degrees tomorrow here in Fairbanks. If you're going to visit the eagle lady, you better do it this winter. I think this is her last year. I know a couple people who have been down there. I've wanted to go but it's a 1200 mi. RT from here. I've been chasing them in the Sound for three years. This past weekend things finally came together. Now I've got my eye on a salmon stream to visit in a couple weeks when the pinks start to run. That won't offer much in the way of action images (they just sit around and eat) but I'm hoping to get some closeups and group shots.

Thanks again everyone for the encouragement.

Oh man! She is quiting or they are closing her down? We used to have eagles outside our window but not as much anymore...allthe developing they are doing here in Matsu valley is distroying their habitate. I probably have seen more at the dump then out our window lately....
Yup just heard the news says its warming up to 71 tomorrow...that will be a nice change from the clouds and drizzles.

Eagles of Prince William Sound

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