Photographing raptors.....help me "hunt" please!

I have recently gotten into pursuing raptors. My greatest influence has to be my former quad-riding buddy, Duane N on the forums here. I have very quickly gained MUCH respect for anyone that shoots any sort of raptor in the wild, especially to those not really used to close human interaction. I have already learned just how observant raptors are. The two main ones I encounter most around here, that I seek to get photos of.....are bald eagles and osprey. Below I'll give my 3 experiences being close to these awesome birds, only one being successful. I am asking for advice here.......all the way around.

What to do, what not to do?

Where to look, where not to look?

How patient do I need to be, how long should I expect to "camp out" a spot?

Any other advice is greatly appreciated! I respect everyone with these skills mastered already, to get some of the fantastic pictures you all share on here. I really want to get comfortable enough to get some of these great shots of my own.

My first close raptor encounter; several osprey, with a surprise eagle
When I first got the "bug" to go get these pics, I scoped out a few spots at a local lake where I knew these birds were present. Its Lake Jordan, that extends through several counties here in central NC. I picked an area with a fishing pier, since I knew the fish had to be a plenty. I immediately got excited when I spotted two osprey. I was actually standing on a fairly busy 2 lane road....that runs right through one part of the lake. I was standing on a bridge, and the osprey were taking turns flying back and forth on the bank of the road....to the bridge. They always kept an eye on me, but at the elevation I was at.....they were as close as 30-40ft a few times.....and eye level to me. I even witnessed my first eagle/osprey battle, where the eagle actually rammed the osprey in the air, forcing it to let go of its fresh catch. And the eagle caught the fish before it even hit the water, totally incredible! But way out of reach for my 100-400L.

First juvenile eagle encounter, and closest eagle period
I was within 2 miles of where I first hunted osprey successfully, and in a spot known for frequent eagle flybys. There is a trail that runs along the bank, its also a popular fishing area. As I am approaching an area where I start to keep a look out, I hear a rustle just 30ft ahead of me......and suddenly something shadows the sun over my head. Its a juvenile eagle, whom was resting on a branch......totally didn't expect that one. I was excited obviously, so I continued down the trail to find an opening. I noticed he was flying back and forth, over the trail I was on.....keeping an eye on me. When I got to the open, he flew away from the trail over the water.......sort of looked at me, and disappeared out of sight. I managed to get a few pics of him....and was very happy about that. I found a spot on the bank of the lake, and camped out for about an hour. I then witnessed an adult and a juve fly by me again. About 15 minutes after they appeared, they came back......and circled the area. I believe the adult spotted me when it was flying directly at me........from 150+ yards away, and when it did, the dang thing knife edged and went back over land.......and tree cover. Never to see it again.

An osprey nest, several encounters.......same results
In the same part of the lake, I was out scouting for raptor activity......when I was passing a swampy/marshy area. Before I noticed an abandoned nest. As I passed by in the truck, I saw it was occupied. I pulled off in a parking area, and grabbed the 1D and walked to the spot. This was also on a busy 2 lane road, the same road mentioned in the first story. I quickly saw it was an osprey nest. When I came into sight of the nest, the osprey sitting in the nest immediately started whistling out. I was fully expecting to get attacked by a nearby male. After realizing the eagle from prior was watching me and all movements, I decided to find a spot to stop at.....and wanted to approach slowly. The nest itself is inaccessible by foot.......a good 40yrds from the road itself. The nest is about 30ft up an old dead tree. I found a decent spot, where I could watch the nest through some limbs......and keep an eye out. I found that if I were to take FULL cover, so the osprey couldn't see me.....it would calm down and not cry out as much. Once I started moving or came into full sight, it would cry pretty rapidly. About 5 minutes after stopping still in a spot......I noticed something overhead. I looked up, it was the male obviously.....bringing a big ol fish to the nest. He heard the cries from the nest, and was "floating" in the sky above me, full attention to me standing there. He dove in at high speed, I assume to try and thwart me from the area. I got some great pics......and then watched him fly somewhat close to the nest......with no intention of stopping. He few a good 50yrds from the nest, and landed in a tree. The female was still crying rapidly. At one point, she even got out of the nest, and flew circles around it......I also suppose to try and scare me away. Even after 30 minutes or so, and me barely moving.....the male finally came to the nest to drop the fish off, but quickly flew back out. The female also continued to cry out. About 2 weeks later, the SAME thing happened, except the male wouldn't come close to the nest. I felt like I was blocking nature from doing its thing......so I gave up and left. As I loaded up, I passed back by the nest in the truck.......and the male was in the nest with the fish.


Soooooooooo, I've learned they are sensitive to nesting areas. I've also learned a huge prime lens would be much better than my 100-400L. Apparently hunting birds to photograph is about like hunting big game.....having to be "invisible" and pretty much camp a spot all day.

Anyone have any thoughts, comments, suggestions? I'm open to all.

For me Darren I like to find cooperative subjects that are used to human interaction...these Raptors/birds are refered to as "urban" Eagles/Osprey/Hawks etc. It may be difficult to find these in your area though depending on how vast it is.

Here is an example of an "urban" Osprey nest.

Talking with other photographer/birders in your area would probably help you a lot. You could search for clubs or Meetup groups, or just talk to people you meet when you're out shooting. I frequent a couple of wildlife refuges near me (New Jersey), and besides being great places to shoot, I've become aquainted with quite a few experienced bird photographers, and their advice has been invaluable.

Duane N wrote in post #14528033
...maybe check out a local botanical garden near you? You never know........... knowing when you're too close and trying not to make eye contact with them....the last part isn't a joke.

I definitely believe you on the last, especially after my only handful of experiences. I haven't checked out any of the local botanical gardens, but I will do some searching to see what I come up with.

tomj wrote in post #14528894
Talking with other photographer/birders in your area would probably help you a lot.

I've got one in particular that follows a very active eagle nest around here. I've actually emailed her back and forth a few times, and got to the point of meeting up even......to go hit some trails, but that person stopped responding. Didn't want to press or push my luck. Figure I will try again down the road a little bit.

Just concerning one thing Duane said above, re. Eye contact.

Totally concur. It applies to all birds, nay most subjects, not to lock eyes. They detect it and it pays dividends to try to get closer whilst looking out of the corner of your eye, so to speak.

Im lucky to have gotten very close to some birds, not these, alas, but in all cases I kept my eyes elsewhere and there's no doubt it spooked them less.

Predators stare.

You don't want to act like you are there to eat them, a better model for your behavior should be a grazing animal. Act like a cow that couldn't care less - slow movements, wandering path (no direct line of travel) with frequent distracted stops, oblivious, and no eye contact.

There is alot of debate about weather or not it is ethical to used calls to attract Owls. After seeing the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, & the Indiana Ornithological Society playing Barred Owl recording to "trick" these owls into calling so that they could record their numbers, I decided to give it a try, in areas where Barred Owls have been seen.

I am currently using a Cass County Big Horn Speaker which it typically used for varmint hunting. I purchased the I-Bird Pro app for my android phone. I play the barred owl call, sparingly until one is seen in the area.

Ive used Ibird to check call im hearing and sometimes to get one I hear a bit closer. As long as you dont continue it after its near I personally dont see a problem with it but others will.

to each their own. if you dont appear to be stressing the bird it should be ok to me.

Kevin Hall wrote in post #14544089
Predators stare.

You don't want to act like you are there to eat them, a better model for your behavior should be a grazing animal. Act like a cow that couldn't care less - slow movements, wandering path (no direct line of travel) with frequent distracted stops, oblivious, and no eye contact.

This is spot on and will help a great many people who are finding that their subjects flee so readily. Couldn't have said it better myself and, indeed, didn't.

Thanks for the tips, keep them coming!

Sometimes you just got lucky I guess..
This one taken with iphone
http://www.dagbladet.n​o …r/innenriks/orn​/21999574/