East of Keystone Dam is a reserve, cordoned off in wintertime, for eagles. Last Saturday I went with a friend to have a look, out along Old State Highway 51, to see if any eagles were still there. We weren’t sure if there would be since it’s about time for them to migrate. Our day was successful; we made two sightings. I believe we saw the same bird both times. Dave managed to capture a few in-flight shoots the first time we saw him. The big guy swooped across the road right in front of us and then down to the river for breakfast. It was very exciting. Unfortunately I was a bit slow in changing my lens and missed the shot; however, I was not caught fiddling with my gear the second time. I fired off three rapid shots as soon as I got out of the car and grabbed this one. Not too bad considering the quick draw approach. Good thing too because, as we moved in closer for a better angle and clearer view, he flew off, and that was that. No more eagle sightings. He’ll be gone in the next few weeks, probably to Alaska, and we’ll have to wait until November to try again.
Bald Eagle
NIKON D90/70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6 – 300 mm, f/5.6@1/1250, ISO 200
Todd Galley
9 Mar 2011Nice pic. Funny thing I just watched on TV about eagles……..on the show Alaskan State Troopers they talked about how eagles are known to attack / feed-on drunks who have taken a “nap” outside. Thus, if they get a call about a drunk laying in someones yard sleeping they have to go pick them up before an eagle finds them first.
A little alcohol problem in Alaska, maybe?!?!?
My parents saw an eagle on the farm last year…….very rare for that area.
Take care, Todd
Scott Smith
10 Mar 2011Thanks Todd. I’ve also heard that in some places in Alaska they are so common they have become a pest. Not so here. I’ll bet that was exciting to see one on the farm.