The Eagles 2016

[SMB2]

Just back from the Pacific Northwest and five days of Eagle photography. Very challenging low light photography often from a moving boat. Went with four other friends and a local Pro. who I have worked with in Yellowstone. We had a blast and took some pictures too.
Saw my first Long-eared Owl and got some shots of a Short-eared Owl as well.

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[SMB2]

And the Owls!

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[jmf3460]

Murica!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Second Hand Pat]

Can only say WOW Stan. Those are fantastic. :D
Pat

[PAR23]

Awesome pictures.....thanks

[rickztahone]

Beautiful as always Stan. TFS

[Discus-n00b]

Insane. Are you still shooting on the what, D500? What lens(es) were you carrying/using for the eagle shots? Love that 4th and 9th ones in the set. I'd love to make a trip like that. See any other wildlife?

[Kyla]

incredible pictures.

[Jack L]

Wow

[SMB2]

Insane. Are you still shooting on the what, D500? What lens(es) were you carrying/using for the eagle shots? Love that 4th and 9th ones in the set. I'd love to make a trip like that. See any other wildlife?

Matt, all shots were taken with a 500mm f4 lens. The owls were on a tripod, the eagles were hand held on a boat! There were a lot of misses on the boat. Most of the shots were with a D4s because it is a better low light camera IMHO. The Owls were with the D500, we had a tad more light that morning.
This trip was for the birds! So not much other wildlife. As to your going on that trip...it can certainly be arranged!

Thanks all for taking a look.

iPhone:
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[Jack L]

came back for 2nd look.
they are all good

is that owl one a more rare capture? an owl flying by and then looking at you....

i've only seen 1 bald eagle, it was flying up the delaware river.

[Second Hand Pat]

You look cold Stan and bet it was between the weather, water and wind from the boat ride. Is that rain gear covering the lens?
Pat

[SMB2]

I am not a huge Owl expert but they are fun to photograph. Short-eared owls (the flying one) are generally more common.
Long-eared are less common and very hard to find usually because they hide well. So I think that was a lucky encounter and shot.
There are a ton of Eagles on the Delaware and Susquehanna rivers. The Conowingo Dam this time of year can have hundreds. It is truly remarkable the comeback they have made in these areas. This was taken on the Susquehanna a few weeks ago.

It was windy, wet and cold in Washington state, but I learned a lot about low light shooting and making the best out of hard shooting. That's a Lens Coat rain cover for the lens and camera.

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