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Although I have had distant views of eagles in Edmonds earlier this month, Wednesday (10/14/15) was my first (relatively) close-up shot to kick off our 2015-16 local eagle photography season. It may be coincidental, but my first closeup shots of our returning local eagles have been on 10-14 for three of the past four years.
Pt. Edwards eagle in its nest.
From the marsh. I suspect this is the same eagle out stretching its wings.
Friday (10/16/15) one of the Pt. Edwards eagles was perched on the piling off Marina Beach, one of its usual spots.
5DIII + 500L + 1.4x teleconverter, tripod mounted
I was shooting at various negative exposure compensation settings to avoid blowing out the eagle's white head in the low sunlight of the late afternoon.
7DII + 100-400L II telephoto zoom, handheld
I missed the eagle taking off, but got some shots as it flew south.
Tuesday afternoon (10-20-15) I spotted one of the Pt. Edwards eagles (male?) perched in the lower branches of the sentry tree near the nest. Last week I gave a mini tour of the area to a friend visiting from California. He commented that the distance from the street to the nest is not apparent from my shots taken with telephoto lenses. To give a sense of the distance, I have posted close-ups taken with the 7DII + 100-400L telephoto zoom followed by shots taken with the 7D + 24-105L wide angle zoom that approximate the appearance to the naked eye.
Since this fits with Bill's sequences, and with Bill's permission, I decided to use his thread - here's a few images made this afternoon (Thurs 10-22) watching the eagle (female I assume) take off from the sentry tree. All with the 5Diii, 500mm f4L, and 1.4x extender
Bill and I watched her at the top of the tree and were debating whether to take image number gazillion of her there, when all at once she decided to take off. In an amazing turnaround, I actually had my lens focused on her just as she took off....normally I watch Bill do this
I got some shots of the eagle in the sentry tree with my 7DII + 100-400L II before it took off. I think it was the male based on the shape of its head and beak.
I went down to the fish hatchery after Terry left and got some shots of a sub adult flying over town. Note that it still has some dark feathers on its head and tail.
A pair was circling town while I was at the Pt. Edwards walkway.
I heard the buzzing of a chain saw behind me Wednesday morning (10/28/15) while I was photographing trains from Sunset Ave. I turned around and saw that the tree near the corner of Sunset and Edmonds was being cut down. I have photographed many eagles perching in this tree over the past 5-6 years. It never bothered the eagles that they would draw a crowd from passing pedestrians and motorists.
I just missed snapping a photo of the tree being topped. Probably just as well, as it was not a happy event in my mind. We have lost yet another eagle tree in Edmonds. I am afraid the tree at the top of Pine St., where the Pt. Edwards eagles often perch, will be the next one to go with the eventual construction of new condos.
Coincidentally(?), an eagle (probably one of the Hutt Park pair) was flying south along the Sound shortly after the tree was topped. It turned around and flew back north.
Friday afternoon (11/6/15) one of the Pt. Edwards eagles was perched on the family tree at the top of Pine St. Taken from the #2 viewing platform of the marsh with my 5DIII + 100-400L II telephoto zoom.
Although I have taken hundreds of shots of the eagles perched on this tree, I feel I should take some more. It will probably be the next local eagle tree to come down once construction of the new condo complex begins on the empty lot below. Other of the eagles' favorite trees will remain in the area, but this is one of my favorites. It is located right beside the street, making it very easy to photograph the eagles when they are perched in it.
It cleared up Sunday afternoon (11/8/15) while Daren and I were at the waterfront after lunch with Terry. One of the Pt. Edwards eagles was perched on a piling off the Senior Center by the ferry dock, one of its regular spots. I mounted the super telephoto package (5DIII + 500L telephoto + 1.4x teleconverter) on my tripod to get close.
Some kayakers rowed between the pilings. I thought they would spook the eagle, but it stayed put. I had to use the 7DII + 100-400L II telephoto zoom for this wider angle shot.
The eagle made one loop out past the ferry dock, but returned empty taloned. The super telephoto combo tracked it very well. The low, direct sunlight reflecting off the eagle's head feathers made exposures difficult. I took many shots using negative exposure compensation.
Eventually a kayaker did spook the eagle, which flew southeast. I hoped it was headed to the marsh for a drink of water and to wash off, so I went over to check. I was right. The eagle spent several minutes by the water, taking an occasional drink and splashing a little. I believe the tide gate has been closed and the water in the marsh is now just fresh water from rain and the two creeks which drain into the marsh.
After a while the eagle took off and circled the marina.
The eagle landed on the family tree at the top of Pine St., which I now believe it is on the property of the house behind it. Hopefully this will keep it from being cut down when the new condos are constructed on the vacant lot beneath it.
Monday afternoon (11/9) I was prowling around the waterfront while my son was playing tennis. I noticed one of the Pt. Edwards eagles perched at its usual spot by the ferry dock. It was threatening rain and I had taken photos in the sunshine the previous day, so I did not stop.
I did stop at the marsh. While I was there, the eagle flew from the waterfront up to its tree at the top of Pine St. on Pt. Edwards.
On the way home after picking up my son, I noticed the Ballinger Lake pair were perched on their tree on the grounds of the Niles golf course.
Steady winds were blowing from the west off Puget Sound late Thursday (11/19/15) afternoon. One of the Pt. Edwards eagles took advantage of the winds to soar over Pt. Edwards and Marina Park.
The eagle flew out over the Sound and spent time hovering over one spot like an osprey with occasional swoops low over the water, where I assume it had seen a bird. I was surprised the eagle would attempt diving into such rough water.
I was shooting into a very low sun, which created "artsy" shots with Picasa's "auto contrast" feature.
The eagle returned and resumed its soaring over Pt. Edwards.
