Thursday, December 11, 2008

Sky Watch Friday: Immature eagle

This is the time of the year when bird watching in Minnesota can get to be difficult. First of all many of the birds have migrated south for the winter and most of the fun winter species have still not made it this far south. Then there are so many days of skies filled with gray clouds, that type of light makes it hard to photograph anything. Don't forget cold temps and snow which require gloves and lead to fogged up glasses which also do not help when you are trying to get that great shot. But it is also this time of the year when I rediscovered my love of nature and began this adventure in birding and wildlife photography.
Minnesota has a very healthy population of bald eagles. This was not so when I was younger but because of federal protection and the ban on DDT eagle populations have been increasing each year. In Minnesota, during the warmer months of the year, the eagles spread out across the state. You can usually find some at each of our many lakes and rivers. However, during the winter they congregate where ever the water does not freeze. This gives us several reliable spots where you can see eagles in good number during the winter. Back in 1999 I made some big changes in my life. I left retail sales and left my small entertainment business and went to work at a corporate job. This allowed me a luxury that I had not had since I was a kid, time. Time to enjoy life, and to enjoy nature again. It was at about this time that I found out about the eagles that gathered on the south Mississippi River at this time of year and after my first visit I was hooked.
Since that time I have made many visits down to the river during the winter to photograph the eagles. This picture was taken early this year at Colvill Parkin Red Wing, MN. Both pictures are the same except the second is cropped in on the eagle. When you see pictures of clear blue skies like this taken in Minnesota during the winter time you can be pretty sure that it was extremely cold.

32 comments:

Arija said...

An absolutely wonderful capture against the blue sky!

Shelley said...

I dream of taking photographs like this ecobirder!

P.S. What's up with luos?! Darn spammers!!

Leedra said...

Lovely photographs. Glad you got hooked, love seeing your photographs.

Great SWF

Mary said...

Wow, a beautiful bird, and a really amazing photo! Happy SWF. :)

Anonymous said...

I hear you about how hard it can be to take pictures this time of year. Nice Bald Eagle shots. I hope you get some great winter shots. It's actually partly sunny here in western Washington today, so I am headed out to find some Golden Moments.

EG CameraGirl said...

It's good to hear that the ban on DDT allowed the birds to increase in numbers. They are such majestic birds.

Anonymous said...

I cannot stop admiring your bird shots. Getting one in mid flight so sharp must be difficult. Very skillful photography.

bobbie said...

A beautiful bird against a clear, blue sky! What more could we ask.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

EB: Those are super captures of the eagles on wing and the stories are special.

Kay said...

This photo makes you want to soar. Great SWF photo!

vincibene said...

Breathtaking picture of the eagle!

Photo Cache said...

amazing capture. there is nothing better than a bird in flight caught wonderfully.

Anonymous said...

Lovely photo, beautiful color and bird.

Lavender and Vanilla Friends of the Gardens said...

It is wonderful to see this beautiful eagle in full flight. what a sad time when the eagles nearly disappeared. Nothing satisfies as good as nature.

Alan Pulley said...

Very nice shots!

Anonymous said...

Fabulous photos, so sharp! Have a great and warm weekend! (-:

Lilli & Nevada said...

That is a superb photo shot of the eagle

Unknown said...

Bird in flight is poetry in motion. Great photo.

Pearl Maple said...

Beautiful photo, how lucky to be able to get close enough for these photos.

Raven said...

Great post. What exquisite photos!

Jane Hards Photography said...

Magnificent captures of such a majestic bird.

esnorway said...

nice shoots have great weekend

Anonymous said...

Awesome sight! I've never photograph an eagle before! Thanks for sharing! :)

http://www.mypreciousniche.com/2008/12/sky-watch-friday.html

Rottlady of the Ozarks said...

I'm just a little jealous, I don't get to see birds like this around my place! Beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful capture! The sky is gorgeous and the eagle is simply magnificent.

Naturegirl said...

You captured this majestic bird so beautifully in your last photo!
It is a pleasure for me to visit one who so appreciates Nature as do I!

Anonymous said...

what could be better than an eagle in the sky...

Gemma Wiseman said...

Those photographs highlight the beautiful range of tawny textures in the bald eagle! Gorgeous!

Chris said...

Amazing shot!! Thank you for sharing it with us!

Maithri said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Maithri said...

What a magnificent photo...

Inspirational...Really speaks to me.

Love this place. You have a wonderful gift my friend,

Peace and light, M

Gretchen said...

That second photo is perfect! What camera do you use? Happy SWF!!