Yet more Edmonds Eagle Shots

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Wednesday (4/30) continued.

While they are exciting to take, these departure sequences are starting to look alike. I want to get a sequence of one eagle arriving with food for its mate on the nest.
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Perched on the sentry tree. Both eagles look similar and I have yet to figure out if this is a changing of the guard so the female can have time out of the nest. It will probably take an all day stakeout to get a real handle on their nesting behavior.
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Note: All of the shots in this sequence were taken with -1.66 exposure compensation. While that may seem extreme, it was necessary so that the eagles' bright heads did not get overexposed.
 
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While Terry and I have documented the Pt. Edwards pair sitting on their nest, we have yet to see or hear signs of eaglets. Due to the upward angle we view the nest, I doubt we will see any eaglets in their downy stage. We did not spot last year's eaglets until 5-26-13. By then they were out of their downy stage and well on their way to developing adult feathers.
http://www.pnwphotos.com/forum/showt...ds-Eaglet-2013

This year I am keeping a closer eye out now that we know the pair is nest sitting. Looking back at photos of last year's eaglets, there may be recently hatched babies in the nest as I type. I reviewed all of the 2013 eaglet thread. I hope to post better photos this year using my new/used 4.0/500L telephoto lens.
 
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This is from today (Cinco de Mayo) - Sure looks like she is sitting on an egg or eggs.

These were taken with the Canon 7D and 500mm f4L + 1.4 extender. I experimented with live view to minimize mirror slap - I was happy with reduced/eliminated camera shake.

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Second sequence:
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In three sequences I took Tuesday and two more I took Wednesday, the eagle was only gone from the nest a few minutes. Her(?) departures were too short to be hunting trips and the photos show she returned empty taloned. It almost looks as through she is out looking for her mate. Terry and I have not seen the mate bringing in food. We hope nothing has happened to him.
 
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Now all the arrival shots are starting to look alike. I don't expect anything exciting to photograph until we see babies.
 
Great timing, as usual, Bill. Yep, its going to be a while, I think, until we see the babies. I sure hope nothing is wrong with the Dad!
 
The Eaglets are Here!

Bill Anderson and Janice and I went to check on the eagle nest yesterday (May 12) afternoon. While watching it we discovered movement along side the Mom. Tough to get good shots, because the eagles are pretty well hidden behind the sticks of the nest. Definitely two babies. Exciting to see.

BTW, Bills 7D has given up the ghost - so if anyone would like to donate $$ to him or have a slightly used 7D in good shape, I'm sure he would accept (probably not tax deductible, though :)


These were taken with a Canon 7D and 500mm f4L + 1.4x extender - all shots cropped.

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Mom few off - to the sentry tree - possibly waiting for Dad, which I never saw.
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Here are the first of several series I took of the Pt. Edwards eagles on Monday (5/19/14).

An adult flew south over the marsh from the vicinity of the ferry dock.
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It swooped down on a duck on the far side of the marsh....
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and chased it for a distance west with a crow in pursuit.
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The chase came to an end when a great blue heron flew towards the eagle.
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After breaking off the chase, the eagle flew south around Pt. Edwards.

Much more to come.
 
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