PNWPhotos.com a friendly and growing community of photographers with an interest in the Pacific Northwest region.
We feature a Photography Discussion Forum and Pacific Northwest Photo Gallery. It's a fun and friendly place to talk with other photographers, ask questions, share you knowledge, view and post photos and more!
Terry and I discovered that the Pt. Edwards bald eagle pair have definitely had a baby this year. We had seen the female sitting in the nest earlier in the year, but then she stopped. Acting on a hunch, I stopped by the nest Saturday (5/25) and saw her sitting on it once again. Sunday (5/26) Terry and I stopped by the nest and saw the eaglet. We believe there is only one, but then a week ago we did not think there were any.
I am starting a separate thread as Terry and I will probably be taking many shots of the baby in the weeks ahead.
Mother and baby.
The mother had moved to the back of the nest and the baby looked out.
The screeching of gulls heading our way gave us warning of an incoming eagle.
The mother took off out the back door of the nest and a few minutes later the father took off out the front door, leaving junior all alone. I missed getting shots of both, but Terry got some good shots which I hope he will post up here.
After the father took off, my son and I went down to the ferry dock and saw an eagle perched in its regualr spot. I have always assumed it is one of the Pt. Edwards pair.
Great shots, Bill. Here's a couple more - I missed the father's landing but did get his leaving. I have also included a shot of the baby - now we need a name for him/her. How about 'Woody' ?
Yes, they do. A pair of eagles will construct a nest and return to it to lay eggs, but they don't always lay eggs every year. As far as I know, the Pt. Edwards pair last had a baby two years ago (2011). They only use the nest to lay eggs and raise young. Their territory and perching spots will remain the same from year to year even if they are not nesting.
The distance from the street to the nest is at least 100 yards, maybe farther. I'll try to remember to get some non-telephoto shots next time to give you a better perspective.
The new owner of the property did us a favor by trimming the trees. In 2011 we only had a tiny window through the trees from much farther down the street in which to watch the nest.
Thanks, Christine and 'memories' Christine yes, they do. 'Memories,' a fair distance. I'm guessing 200-300 feet. I was using a Canon 500mm f4L with a 1.4x extender (700mm) setup.
Tuesday (5/28) I made a return visit to the nest. With the departure of the winter migrants from the marina, the terns; eagles; osprey; and owls are the hottest avian action in town.
Here is a photo of the nest taken with a 7D + 24-105L medium zoom. This is about what it looks like from the street with the naked eye.
5D Mk III + Tamron 1.4 teleconverter + 100-400L telephoto zoom, cropped. The low evening sun shining directly into the nest forced me to shoot in Tv mode with a -2 compensation.
Friday afternoon was sunny and warm, so I went up to check on the eaglet and found it raising itself high in the nest. I wanted to take maximum advantage of the photo op, so I coupled my Canon 2x teleconverter to the 5D Mk III + 100-400L zoom. This negated the autofocus of the zoom lens, so I mounted it all on a tripod and used a cable release to achieve an 800mm telephoto lens with manual focus.
Enjoying the sun.
Stretching a wing.
Although the parents may not be sitting in the nest with the eaglet, one is usually near by.
Wow, Bill, you should be very pleased, well, thrilled, at these results! I am! Next time we are out, maybe I can con you into letting me use your 2x on my 500
I had to change the title of this thread because Saturday (6/1) I discovered a second eaglet in the nest.
I set up the 5D Mk III + 2x teleconverter + 100-400L zoom and took photos of the nestlings. It was much easier to use manual focus when the nest is in the afternoon sunshine than when it is in the morning shadows.
While I was checking my camera, one of the parents sneaked in with some food for the youngsters.
Later that afternoon I met Terry up by the nest. As I was driving down the street towards the nest, I saw one parent flying in the opposite direction over the street. We could not see the baby eagles, but with the help of a crow, we spotted the other parent watching the nest from a nearby tree.
Can you spot the nest and the adult eagle?
Zooming closer.
It was easier to see the adult when the wind blew some branches out of the way.
Great shots, and an exciting discovery, Bob! Looks like the time to be there is during feeding time. Looks like a bloody morsel in one of the eaglets beak.
