Birding Extremes

Saturday morning as I sat beside a meadow I was startled when a large bird swooped past so close that I could hear the wind in its feathers.  As quickly as it appeared it was out of sight and I was unsure of whether I had seen an immature bald eagle or my first golden for the fall. 

 

 

About 15 minutes later the eagle returned to perch in a tree 100-120 yards away.  While I would have loved to have had the bird closer this was close enough to get some decent shots with the 600mm lens.  It was also close enough to confirm that it was an immature bald eagle.

 

As the rain began falling I packed up my camera gear and began walking away.  Looking back I was surprised to see the eagle continuing to preen paying no mind to my presence.

 

 

 

After photographing the eagle, one of our largest birds, yesterday; this morning I went to the other extreme.  This female ruby throated hummingbird was perched in a dogwood tree moments before the sun crested the eastern horizon.  I began photographing the tiny bird from a few feet away and was rewarded with the best shot of the session when the little bird shook and ruffled its feathers before buzzing off in search of food.

As Summer Slides By........

 

 

A flock of Canada Geese swim in a farm pond while an Immature Bald Eagle watches from the bank. 

 

When I noticed this scene as my wife and I drove down a dirt back-country road, the geese were what caught my attention.  I paused to observe them noting that the young of the year are fully feathered and nearly as large as their parents; but the surprise of the moment was when I realized that the bird on the land was not just another goose but an eagle instead!  Was it watching the geese hoping for a meal of fatted goose? 



Common Wood Nymph

 

While taking one of my frequent evening walks a butterfly fluttered in the roadside bushes and chose a landing site that was open and well lit.  My constant companion on these walks, a camera with the 100-400mm lens attached proved adequate to make a good hand-held shot of these normally reclusive butterflies.

 

 

While spending an evening in a local wetland I was startled by the nearby splashing sound of a doe and her twins crossing the shallow water.  Unable to photograph them in the water because of screening branches I had to wait until they passed into an opening.  The clicking of the shutter drew the mother's attention for a moment before she moved on.

 

But a biting fly caused the one fawn to flick its tail and bite at it's hip.  While it appears that the fawn was looking directly at me it was the biting insect that had its undivided attention. 

 

A Golden Surprise: Golden Eagle

Golden Eagle

 

Minutes after setting up to await the afternoon and evening whitetail rutting activity, the calling of crows drew my attention to my left.  Looking that way I spotted a large bird soaring above; a Golden Eagle!

Golden Eagle sightings in my neck of the woods are quite rare and up until just a few years ago I had never seen one.  Since that first sighting Willard and I have become accustomed to the occasional sighting of a golden from mid-autumn through early winter as the big raptors pass through on their southward migration.

Crows harassing a Golden Eagle

 

While any golden sighting is a surprise this one did not come as a complete surprise.  After the sun had set Wednesday evening, as the light was failing and Willard and I were packing up the photo gear, I heard a rush of wings overhead.  Looking up I spotted a very large bird swooping low, quickly disappearing behind the nearby tree line.   In the poor light I was unable to make a positive identification.  There was no doubt that it was an eagle and I was pretty sure that it was a golden and not an immature bald eagle.  Thursday afternoon’s sighting confirmed my suspicions. 



 



In the Fog: Bald Eagles

I was slowly motoring south on the lake before sunrise this morning when an adult bald eagle launched from a lakeside tree flying along the lake shore at tree top height until it was swallowed up in the fog.  Continuing on I passed a person fishing from the pier and soon spotted the eagle perched on a dead branch.  Moving the boat as near as the water depth would allow I shot a few images.

Soon the bird moved on and after flying only a short distance again perched near the shoreline.

While jockeying the boat for a better shooting position this immature eagle flew by perching near the adult.  The perch it chose was in a leaf-filled tree that did not afford any further photo opportunities.

Shortly after the fog lifted, the adult eagle left its perch.  If you look closely you can see bits of bark falling as the eagle launches into the air.

Later, as I was leaving the lake, I had occasion to chat with the gentleman at the boat launch.  As we chatted I learned that he was the one I had seen fishing earlier.  I asked if he had seen the eagles to which he responded that he had not.  He was genuinely surprised when I told him that the adult had flowing directly over him.  To erase any doubts that he may have had I showed him a few of the eagle shots on the camera LCD. 

In addition to the eagles I observed a number of spotted sandpipers and one loon.

Bald Eagles at Joe Overstreet Landing

Joe Overstreet landing is a spot noted on the Great Florida Birding Trail.  At one time the endangered Whooping Cranes could be seen here regularly but I have not observed them during my 2010 visits nor this year although I was told that one had been spotted on a nearby island lately.  However Joe Overstreet even without the Whooping Cranes remains a worthwhile spot.  Arriving as day began to break I immediately noticed a pair of eagles perched on the post supporting the boat docks. 

Not knowing how acclimated they were I cautiously moved in to a suitable position and awaited better light.  As the light improved I shot a few images of the stationary birds and soon a vehicle arrived to launch a boat.  The fishermen readied the boat and one walked over to chat and mentioned they they would be ending my fun.  I replied that that was no problem as I was waiting to the eagles to take flight.  Imagine my surprise when they launched the boat and the eagles showed no visible concern!  Moving in even closer I continued to wait for the birds to do something more photogenic than just posing.

As the sun began cresting the horizon my wait was rewarded as one eagle decided to go after a shore bird feeding nearby.  No being ready at the moment I missed the take-off and the bird easily evaded the eagle's attack.  The eagle circled about coming back in for a landing on it favored post.  This time I was ready panning the 600mm and shooting as it swooped in.

The best shot materialized as the eagle landed and with wings still outstretched lifted it's head and called.  Moments later it had settled down and was once again just a stationary eagle sitting on a post.

I have photographed bald eagles at numerous locations over the past few years and this bird is the most tolerant eagle I have yet encountered.  The eagles I encounter near home typically become uncomfortable at 150 to 200 yards however this bird seemed undisturbed with humans coming within 15-20 yards.

Images from Blackwater

Blackwater NWR contains a vibrant wildlife community and much of the wildlife is acclimated to a degree of human presence.  This works wonders for the photographer since the critters do not flee at the first sight of humans.  This is not to say that one can approach closely as visitors are restricted and the wildlife is wild, unlike the birds found in city parks. 

The Canada geese tolerate humans at a distance; 80-100 yards seems to be their comfort range.

Small groups of geese took flight throughout the morning as they flew to the neighboring fields to feed.

Blackwater has both freshwater and brackish water habitat.  Muskrat lodges dotted the brackish water swamps.  Although we did not spot any muskrats during our visits their lodges indicate a substantial population.

Back to Blackwater

 Deciding to utilize the unseasonably warm weather forecast for this week Willard and I again visited Blackwater NWR Wednesday.  Arriving before the refuge opened we stopped at the canoe launch along MD 355 to photograph the dawn.  A few light showers were moving through the area making for dramatic skies.

 Later in the morning a partial rainbow developed where we were photographing waterfowl near the entrance to wildlife drive.  Not taking time to change lenses, I used the 600mm to make this capture.

A distant eagle surveys its domain.

Lucky Break

After raining yesterday afternoon and throughout the night the precipitation stopped this morning.  As usual on my days off I headed out at daybreak hoping to capture some wildlife images however things didn't work out as I had hoped for.  For one thing the wild turkeys apparently chose a different route leaving the roost and never came into view.  A beautiful fox squirrel did show up and perched in a nearby tree cutting a walnut but before I could get the shot he spooked.

Heading home with no pixels exposed, I was a little disappointed with the morning's outcome.  Rounding a bend in the road I noticed a large bird perched in a roadside tree.  With no traffic behind me I pulled the car to the side.  Swinging the door I open braced the 600mm between the door and the body.  Shooting against a gray sky can be problematic so I dialed in a +1 exposure compensation to keep the subject from being too heavily exposed. 

Whether hunting with a weapon or a camera a few seconds can make the difference between returning home empty handed or with a smile on ones face.  This morning I was all smiles!

Day Tripping: Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

Needing a photo-fix Willard and I visited Blackwater NWR this morning.  Located on Maryland's eastern shore near Cambridge, Blackwater is a wintering area for many species of waterfowl as well as a good number of Bald Eagles. 

Great Blue Herons are plentiful as well.  At one point five herons were in sight at stalking across the tidal flats in search of prey.

Throughout the morning we observed Canada geese, snow geese, tundra swans, northern shovelers, mallards, pintails, hooded mergansers, and northern harriers.  I will be post images more images from Blackwater NWR in the coming days.

Golden Surprise

Friday morning found me pursuing our local squirrels and enjoying the unseasonably warm weather.  Seeing half a dozen squirrels running through the woods is very common now as their mating season is is full swing.  A female followed by her lusty admirers creates quite a ruckus as the males chase her up and down trees each trying to best the others in his quest to mate.

It was during one of these squirrel melees that I heard crows calling loudly as they flew overhead.  Looking up through the tree tops I could see that they were pursuing a much larger bird.

Quickly loosing interest in the squirrels I grabbed the camera gear and went to the edge of the nearby meadow to get a better view.  Sightings of bald eagles has become somewhat commonplace in our area and at first I thought that the bird was a immature bald eagle.

Imagine my surprise when I was able to identify the bird as a Golden Eagle!  As if that were not enough there was not one, but two of the majestic birds wheeling through the air as they swooped over the rolling foothills in search of prey!

These images are not of the quality I normally post because of the long distance, hand holding the 600mm lens, and extremely heavy cropping.

Wildlife at the Water's Edge

 While spending a few hours on the water Tuesday I was treated to an encounter with an immature bald eagle.  I first noticed it as it flew at tree top height along the shoreline.  Apparently sighting a fish it dove into the water and reemerged with empty talons.  I wasn't able to get to the camera in time to capture the dive but was able to capture it here as it prepares to land on a stump.

As I approached slowly with the boat the eagle soon took off flying along the shoreline as it gained altitude.  Later in the day the sound of a loud splash drew my attention to the other side of the lake just in time to see the eagle rise into the air.  The distance was to great to determine if it's dive had been successful.

The muddy shoreline is a favored place for the numerous killdeer to feed.  These birds, while being somewhat wary, will allow a fairly close boat approach if it is done slowly. 

The lake is currently drawn down a considerable amount to facilitate dam repairs.  The lush grasses covering much of the former lake bed do not go unnoticed by the deer.  This doe & fawn, after grazing the young grass, stepped into the lake to quench their thirst and cool off during the midday heat.

Edge, that place where one habitat type meets another, is always a good place to find wildlife.  Edge can consist of the transition between grassland and brush, cropland and woodland, etc.  The water's edge is as good as any and sometimes better than most so whenever you are near the water's edge keep a good lookout for wildlife; your efforts will not go unrewarded.

Harassment: Avian Style

I watched as the eagle arrived at the lake swooping in low over the water.  Soon a lone crow flew out from the woodland beginning to harass the eagle with very close fly-bys, better described as dive-bombing, while calling loudly.

A number of crows nest in these woods each spring and I would expect that this crow was defending its nesting territory. 

After a few minutes of rapid fire action the eagle flew over the nearby mountain top, apparently looking for somewhere where the "locals" didn't object to its presence.

Observing wildlife interact makes the days afield all the more enjoyable, being able to capture a photo is always a bonus!

Eagles on the Wing

An Immature Bald Eagle soars efortlessly over head

And a mature Eagle flares as it executes an abrupt turn.

The early morning lighting cast a warm glow over the eagles while in fact the temperatures were anything but warm. Even with gloves my fingers quickly became numb making functioning the camera difficult.


I'm still catching up on processing my photos from our recent visit with the eagles along the lower Susquehanna River.

The recovery of the Bald Eagle has been remarkable. Until less than two decades ago I had not heard of an Eagle sighting in my area. I remember well the first Eagle I ever observed in the wild. I was hunting squirrels one October day when a large bird flew into a nearby tree. Checking it out through a pair of 7X binoculars I could scarcely believe my eyes when I identified it as an immature bald eagle. My next sighting came the following summer and that was of a mature eagle soaring over Bald Eagle State Park in Centre County.

Little did I know that these first eagle sightings were harbingers of better days to come. Bald Eagle sightings are now quite common in my area and even the occasional Golden Eagle can be seen. Many good people worked tirelessly to return these majestic birds to our skies.

The return on the investment has been breathtaking

Conowingo Bald Eagles

During my recent Florida visit I enjoyed viewing the numerous eagles but did not have a good opportunity to photograph them.  With my work observing New Year's day on Monday January third Willard and I headed for Conowingo Dam to check out the Bald Eagle action.

Arriving before daylight we observed that the hydro plant was in operation. As daylight slowly arrived hundreds of gulls could be seen flying in the dimly lit skies.  A few Eagles began arriving as the sun began peeking over the horizon.  A fellow photographer shared that he had been there a few days before when there was about thirty Eagles present.  During our visit we there was never more than five or six eagles in sight at any one time.

Only once did I observe a Eagle pick up a fish and I was just a little late swinging the camera into action to photograph the instant of catch.  A little after 10:00 am the generators shut down and soon the eagles could be seen flying up river away from the area. 

These images were shot with my Canon 30D attached to Willard's 500mm F4 Canon lens which he so graciously loaned me while he busied himself with shoot video.

Saturday Morning on the Lake

The strong cold front that passed through our area Friday evening dropped temps from near 80F into the 40’s by Saturday morning.

When I first checked the sky the stars were shining brightly but by daylight dark brooding clouds were crossing the sky, a sure sign that high winds were soon to come. I snapped this shot at a moment when sunlight was streaming through the clouds lighting the mountain top beyond the lake. Although the lake was calm at the moment it would not stay that way long.

I was pleased to find that a common loon was present. I have not observed the numbers of loons this spring that I have come to expect with only one present during each sighting. Previous sighting have been of birds in breeding plumage but this bird still retains its drab winter feathers.

Near noon an immature bald eagle soared past the lake. Staying high in the sky riding on the strong air currents it did not take it long to fly from horizon to horizon. I clicked this image mostly for identification purposes as golden eagle has been sighted in our area recently.

Conowingo Eagle: More Poses

Another of my favorite shots from our Conowingo Eagle Excursion it this one of the eagle looking down into the river below. I expect that it was hoping to see an injured fish floating past as it had been a number of hours since it had fed. The dappling of sunlight filtering through the trees, the open shadows containing good detail of the bird’s body set against a blue sky combined with the bird’s intent concentration made this image particularly appealing to me.

I found the intent piercing stare captured in this photograph appealing

The Conowingo eagle experience is quite different from what I am accustomed to. In my home area bald eagles are very shy of humans. Upon approach eagles here will fly away while still out of reach of even the longest of lenses. At Conowingo the hydroelectric generating dam creates an eagle smorgasbord during power generation and the birds have become acclimated to human presence along the shoreline. The situation at Conowingo presents the wildlife photographer with easy access to rare close-up eagle photo opportunities .

As our visit was late in the season, only a few eagles were present but the few that were there gave me the best eagle photos presently in my collection.

During this visit I concentrated upon the eagles and made the mistake of shooting very few frames of the scenes around me, just one more reason to go back!

With Lifted Wings: Bald Eagle

With lifted wings, the majestic Bald Eagle appears ready to fly

Such was not the case as it was merely repositioning itself to a more comfortable spot on the branch.

When viewing and photographing Bald Eagles I cannot help but think of how they were perceived by our forefathers. First over the objection of Benjamin Franklin the Bald Eagle was named as our national bird, and then followed the slaughter. As a predator they were lumped with all other predators into a class of wildlife considered vermin and to be killed any way possible. Alaska even paid a bounty for the killing of eagles which resulted in the death of some 128,000 eagles over 36 years, ending in 1953.