Sunday, February 12, 2012

A First For Me

Back in December, I was out at the lake and just happened to look up and saw a large bird flying overhead. I had no time to make any camera adjustments - I simply pointed and started shooting. I was able to get exactly ten photos before the bird was out of range. At the time, I didn't know what I had seen, but with the assistance of a blog friend, it was identified as an immature Bald Eagle.


To be blunt, the photos are crap. The exposure is wrong and a few of the ten are just enough out of focus as to be unusable. Had I taken the time to make adjustments, I probably wouldn't have gotten any shots. The eagle was literally over top of me when I saw it. If you comment and say, "Oh, great photos!", I'm going to know that either (A), you're lying or (B), you didn't look at them before commenting. :-)


This post isn't about the pictures, but rather the fact that this was my very first Bald Eagle sighting in the wild. I'm not counting zoos or rehab centers. For the folks who see eagles all the time, this would be no big deal, but Bald Eagles still aren't that common place around here. For us, it's exciting. The fact I saw my first one in the wild AND managed to get some photos of it was very exciting! My goal now is to see an adult in the wild.









18 comments:

Gaia said...

Wow!!!! Wonderful pictures!!!!compliments!!!

Shaun said...

I wouldnt put these photos down in any way, for a rushed shot you have made them look real good.
Shaun

Carole M. said...

I can imagine it was a big buzz when you got to editing your photos Brian. Well to find it was a new raptor sighting for you at least. I know you weren't happy with the photo quality but at least you've got proof. Now you'll be real keen to watch out for another one won't you.

Deb said...

Brian what a awesome sighting...I think the first photo is great....

TexWisGirl said...

i would be totally pleased as punch to see a bald eagle AND get it on camera! those are not crap! :)

Anonymous said...

WOW,great phot... ;D

Congratulations on finding your first Bald Eagle in the wild and hope you find the adult soon!

I forgive you for it not being perfect, very understandable given the situation. I believe I just had an experience similar to yours last week with my Pileated Woodpeckers!

Lisa Sall - Sall's Country Life said...

We get lucky and see them occasionally around here but, I would not know that was a baby bald eagle!! How fun to see!

Camp Dog said...

I agree with TexWisGirl, "those are not crap", I like em and would have been happy to have taken them:)

barbara l. hale said...

That's so cool to see an eagle! Terrible pictures, btw. lol.

Linda said...

Ok, Brian, here's my take. The photos are not up to your usual quality. HOWEVER!!!!! They are NOT crap! They are candid, on-the-fly shots of a rare find, and as such, are just as valuable as ones that are staged and carefully executed. You probably wouldn't be able to sell them, but for the sheer joy of having seen these AND captured them with your camera...there is nothing better! I have several shots of eagles taken on some of our boat trips - I was prepared, had the camera ready and still didn't get any better shots than you did! Great catch!

Alan Pavey said...

Hi BJK, I agree they are not your best photos but I would be happy with them, as you say, especially as it was a lifer, great stuff :-)

Marc Heath said...

Just to see was surely amazing, to capture on film gives you a lifelong memory of the occasion, no matter how good or bad.

Joe said...

Actually I do think they are pretty good for the situation.

Tammy said...

What an amazing sight to see! Such incredible birds! Glad you got to see one (in the wild)!

Nancy said...

Yours turned out much better than mine, Brian. But I'm still happy I captured one -- a first for me too!

DWQ said...

Majestic...glad we didn't go with that turkey idea, I understand Ben's thoughts, and no disrespect for the wiley old turkey, but the eagle is a cut above the rest, even as youngsters...congrats on the sighting and pics bud (thumbs up)

Coy Hill said...

Congrats on your first eagle! And there should be lots more to come.

Six or seven years ago bald eagle sightings around my area were quite rare but as the population increases they have become more frequent. Although not commonplace I expect to sight eagles at least 2-3 times per month and some months I may hit a dozen or better. Keep looking up for the best days for eagle sightings are yet to come.

Kirk Mantay said...

Nice! In 2011 on the east coast, we are pretty overrun with them (they steal dead ducks before the dogs can get them), but I remember growing up on the marsh (in the immediate post-DDT era) and not having them AT ALL. I grew up 9 feet above sea level and didn't see one on our "home marsh" until 1998....24 years old.

Congrats on your first sighting!!!