Her Majesty

1/1250 sec. f/8 ISO 200

Female Bald Eagle

Salato Wildlife Center

Linking to Saturday's Critters and The Bird D'Pot

Tucked In

1/80 sec. f/11 ISO 400

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday

Today's Tip:
Since mid-day light is often harsh, that's a good time to scout future photography locations. Overcast days, with their even lighting, allow for shooting all day long.

The Symbol

Have a safe and enjoyable Independence Day!

American Icon

If you've been visiting my blog for a while, you may remember this eagle from a couple of posts last year. It was injured and could no longer fly so it was taken to a wildlife center for care. I went back recently to see if it was still there and take a few photos. It was and I did.

Over the weekend, I saw my very first adult bald eagle in the wild. Unfortunately, from a photographic standpoint, I was fishing in a bass tournament at the time and did not have my camera gear. The eagle flew over our boat and landed in a stand of trees at the shoreline. Until I am fortunate enough to see another one in the wild when I actually have my camera, the photos of this eagle remain the only ones I have of an adult.

Linking to World Bird Wednesday

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.

Eagle Eye II

I went back and visited the bald eagle from my first Eagle Eye post last month. The eagle is being cared for by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. I talked to one of the girls at the center and she told me this particular eagle had been shot and that's why it can no longer fly. They had another eagle, but it died and she said they believe it was 18-20 years old at the time.

Linking to World Bird Wednesday

Eagle Eye

Before you ask, no, this eagle was not in the wild. We do have bald eagles in this area, but I have yet to see one and getting good photos would require extreme luck or a lot of time, neither of which I seem to have. This guy was in a wildlife sanctuary. I was a bit puzzled by the fact he was resting on the ground when there were plenty of trees to perch in, but there was no one around to ask. I don't know if he had been injured or if this was just typical for this particular eagle.


In the last photo, you can clearly see the nictitating membrane, or third eyelid, in the halfway position.


(Edit: I have since learned the eagles at the sanctuary are permanently disabled and cannot fly.)

Linking to World Bird Wednesday