Hellllp---unable to get eagles sharp & close

[Wallace River]

Originally Posted by Rivermouse

Fantastic shots, you two!

We all aspire to be able to get shots like Duane does.

[Duane N]

Just keep in mind that stressing the pair of Eagles out will do neither of you any good (I know you have good intentions). Eagles will abandon their eggs/young if they feel threatened. No picture is worth that and I just felt I needed to stress this.

Good luck getting the images you're after.....

[bobobird]

Another thing is to try to get them used to you.

[mckinleypics]

I don't think eagles are as skittish as you think they are. I shot this one at 200mm. I simply had my dad drive the boat closer and closer while I shot.

[IMG]
IMG_6149 - Version 2 by mckinleypics, on Flickr[/IMG]

[Snydremark]

It's easier to get that close if you have a "portable blind" with you; they (animals, in general) tend to be less spooked if you're in a car, on a boat, etc where you don't LOOK like a person...but the OP's gonna look mighty silly trying to row a boat across a field

Nice juvie there, btw.

[Duane N]

Originally Posted by mckinleypics

I don't think eagles are as skittish as you think they are. I shot this one at 200mm. I simply had my dad drive the boat closer and closer while I shot.

It's not a matter of thinking, it's knowing how skittish they can be especially when they're nesting. If they weren't nesting and they saw you they can fly away where no one is at (like your juvi Eagle image)....no stress for the most part. When they're tending to their eggs or young and someone approaches they have two choices....defend their nest (a lot of stress involved) or fly away and come back later which leaves the eggs or young exposed to the elements or predators.

Juvi Eagles don't count...they don't know any better yet. They are more approachable because their main concern in life at this point is food...not you or the boat or car approaching them.

All I'm saying is recognizing the signs of when a bird is starting to get stressed and that comes from experience.

bobobird is right in his/her approach but that takes time...unfortunately a lot of photographers don't take the time and are more worried about getting their shot.

Nice in-flight by the way.

[mckinleypics]

Good points. These eagles that nest by the lake are pretty used to seeing boats and what not, I suppose.

[Rivermouse]

I agree with you----my first priority is not to stress them out, and as with any wildlife I photograph that's always in my mind. I agree that parents raising young animals or birds are waaaay likelier to feel threatened. My plan is to wear camoflage (although they're going to be able to tell I'm there, but at least I'll blend in a bit), walk in on the other side of a raised dike, and set up in a small clump of trees about 30 yards away from them and stay there for a couple of hours. Maybe do this two or three times----once now, to see if I can get some good shots, once when the eggs are hatched and the parents are more active, flying around for food, and once when the juveniles are ready to fledge.

I've been horrified to find a few pictures in my research on eagles and photographing them, where clearly the photographer has climbed a tree in order to get some shots of the nest and young birds who are unable to fly yet. There are some extremely unscrupulous photographers out there and I'm glad this community is concerned about the well-being of our subjects, not just getting a great shot.

[Duane N]

Originally Posted by mckinleypics

Good points. These eagles that nest by the lake are pretty used to seeing boats and what not, I suppose.

Each situation is different and I'm glad the Eagles you see are used to humans just like the ones I photograph....I never thought I would be able to photograph wild Eagles and have them just sit there and look back at me and do nothing. I've been photographing them for nearly three years and have picked up on the signs of stress and it's all in their body language. These Eagles don't migrate so we see them year-round (at least just the male now) and sometimes when they're not nesting and they see us they will leave but for the most part they tolerate people....thankfully.

Rivermouse...again, good luck getting the shots you're after and I'm sorry this topic strayed from the original question you had....but hopefully we all learned something from this discussion...I've learned so much from members on here since I joined.

[Rivermouse]

All this discussion has actually been great.....some good points, some great pics, and also made me more confident that it will be possible for me to get some good shots of those birds. This was my first post on the forum so it has also made me more comfortable with participating, asking questions, and utilizing the knowledge and skills of its members. Thanks everyone!

[Snydremark]

Well, hell! Welcome aboard, belatedly

Stick around, ask questions, post up results! It's a great place to land and learn.

[Duane N]

Originally Posted by Rivermouse

participating, asking questions

These are the two biggest fears I had to overcome when I first joined and saw what's posted on here on a regular basis. But thankfully everyone is willing to help as long as you ask and participate. Enjoy your stay and I look forward to seeing what you capture...just remember, this isn't a contest and we all can learn a thing or two.

[Rivermouse]

...especially me! Thanks all.....

[riverdog1]

Just thought I should say "hello" Rivermouse. arf arf!!

[Rivermouse]

Ha! Pass the cheese......