Eagles in Red Wing, MN.

[Tapeman]

A few photogs are planing to meet & shoot in Colville Park the first Sunday of March.
It is a popular spot to view eagles on the Mississippi and the begining of March is around the best in terms of bird counts.

The park is located about 3 miles south of downtown Red Wing on highway 61.
See ya there! (weather permitting)

[gymell]

I've been there several times but haven't had much luck because the eagles are usually too far out. I'd definitely meet up with y'all, but that's the same day I'll be at the Houston (MN) Owl Festival (http://www.festivalofowls.com/Owl%20Photo%20Session.htm). They have an entire day devoted to owl photography sessions and a techniques class.

[Jim7226]

Hey Tapeman. Was at the park last Saturday (just passing thru the Red Wing area) for a quick visit and it was very busy with photogs and eagle watchers. Planning to head back there this Saturday to spend more time and get serious with the picture taking. For what it's worth...there are already a lot of eagles and mallard ducks in the park area. Perhaps it will get even better in the coming weeks. :)

[Bill Pham]

sign me up too. let me know what time to meet up. just wanted to see what you all use. since i don't have a long enough lens yet.

Bill

[Tapeman]

The birds start to feed when it gets light, so I try to get there as early after it is light enough to shoot. You just never know, there is some luck involved. I'm good for hanging around for a few hours, more if the weather is nice and there are lots of eagles.

[Bill Pham]

hey tapeman where are you in the twin city. just wondering if you are close by me. i'm in st. paul near the ford plant.

Bill

[jdando]

I might be interested! Any idea if a 200mm, 1.4x TC on a crop body is long enough?

[Jim7226]

I might be interested! Any idea if a 200mm, 1.4x TC on a crop body is long enough?

Hi Jeremy! It really depends. You just never know where they will be flying/feeding. If that's the best long lens combo you have I would say go for it. Last Saturday I had my 100-400 on my 30D (1.6 crop body) and there were only a handful of shots I got that were reasonably close. Yet, I was only there for about 80 minutes so had I given it more time I might have gotten lucky. I was shooting right next to a guy with a 500mm lens with a 2X TC and he seemed to be getting decent shots when they were perched off in the distant trees. I say bring what you have and hope for the best. :) Every now and then a train goes by on the nearby tracks and this seems to stir up the perched birds to begin flying all over.

[Tapeman]

Bill, I live in Cottage Grove. I occasionally work in that part of Saint Paul. Why don't you buy the Ford plant next year after they shut down

[Tapeman]

You can never have enough reach. Sometimes birds will co-operate and fish right in front of you and sometimes they will just perch in the trees too far away to get any good shots.

[Jim7226]

...sometimes they will just perch in the trees too far away to get any good shots.

Which is exactly what happened today. The power plant shut down their warm water discharge and the bay that was open last weekend right near the first parking lot was completely frozen this weekend. Few ducks and most of the eagle action was in the trees and shoreline across the river. :cry: Spent about four hours watching and really didn't get any decent pics.

[Bill Pham]

hey all i was just down there yesterday fishing for walleyes. boy the eagles were out there. must have saw about sixty of them along the river near the dam. i post some shot using my 200 lens only on bird section.

Bill

[Tapeman]

I was there today, (Monday) hardly any birds & overcast. The bay is frozen so I went to the power plant and asked when they were going back on line. One boiler went online today, the other will not for two weeks or so. The bay should be open by the week-end. The weather forcast for the week-end is not promising. I doubt I would want to drive two hours for the same experience. If the bay is open and we have some sun, it could be great. BTW nice shots Bill.

[Bill Pham]

thanks tapeman. were you anywhere near lock and dam 3. that's where i was and they were all around us. granted i had pretty good way of moving around. using the boat is a great way to get closer to them i see.

Bill

[Tapeman]

No Bill, the park is south of lock & dam 3, I'm not sure but I'm guessing 2 miles (as the river flows) When the bay is open you can launch right there in the park. I bring my camera with me fishing up north to shoot. (mostly birds because we don't catch many fish)

[jdando]

Hey gang;

I am going to have to drop out. We have a banquet Sunday morning, better not miss that or my daughter will disown me. :(

[Bill Pham]

No Bill, the park is south of lock & dam 3, I'm not sure but I'm guessing 2 miles (as the river flows) When the bay is open you can launch right there in the park. I bring my camera with me fishing up north to shoot. (mostly birds because we don't catch many fish)


you are fishing in the wrong section :D. have to go to the dam and fish the wing dam or the deeper hole there. we got over sixty last saturday in three hours of fishing.

Bill

[gymell]

No Bill, the park is south of lock & dam 3, I'm not sure but I'm guessing 2 miles (as the river flows) When the bay is open you can launch right there in the park. I bring my camera with me fishing up north to shoot. (mostly birds because we don't catch many fish)

you are fishing in the wrong section :D. have to go to the dam and fish the wing dam or the deeper hole there. we got over sixty last saturday in three hours of fishing.

Bill

This must be you guys I saw on the river a few months ago. :lol::lol::lol:
http://www.pbase.com/gymell/image/91002984/original.jpg

[Bill Pham]

nah Liz that boat is way too small our is bigger :D:D. i wouldn't be surprise though you saw us down there at one time or another.

Bill

[Bill Pham]

so is anyone willing to get down there tomorrow. i'm pretty sure i'll be there fishing and hoping to shoot some birds too.

Bill

[Tapeman]

Tomorrow, weather wise, is supposed to be better than Sunday. I probably will go early tomorrow as well as Sunday. I'll post about conditions there, to let people going Sunday know what to expect.

Bill, I thought fishing licenses expire Feb. 29th

[Bill Pham]

yes it does and i got a new one already :D. and i'll be there tomorrow for sure. if you want to tag along in the boat your are welcome to.

Bill

[Tapeman]

I'll look for you. I will wear a camo hat.

[Bill Pham]

lol yea that should make it easy for me to find you. i'll be down by the dam. look for a black and white alumnin craft with a guy shooting with two cameras.

Bill

[Tapeman]

Saturday morning: Not to many birds, and they were not that active. As with any type of wildlife shooting you have to put in your time AND get lucky.

The water is open in the little bay by the park now.
Hopefully tomorrow will be better.:)

Thanks Bill,(and Jim) for the boat ride.

[Bill Pham]

np at all Joe or tapeman wish we had better action. next time maybe. give me a ring next time you like to get together.

Bill