Here are a few from today.









Canon 40D - 400 5.6L
Randy T

Keep em coming, I know there is more...likin 2 best, good look at a juvenile.
I am curious, how long are they in this area?

Great shots!
A quick suggestion if you don't mind, your in camera meter is setting for the ambient background light, in most of the scenes. Add a stop ( or so) in those flyers, the background will be a little over exposed, but the bird will show details that are underexposed now. The subject will be correct and you can crop the sky to minimize it's weight in the composition. I have a new laptop that I haven't calibrated yet, I will look at them on a calibrated screen in a little bit to see if it is my laptop, but I think it might make a big differnce to you.
I have a 6-8 week span here in Utah, when the migratory pattern places them in The Great Salt Lake in great numbers. Other then those winter months, they are a rarity here.
I have a few threads here, and some of my favorites here.

http://www.splash.smugmug.com/gallery/4078871_M3Wbi#248202302_i9unq

First gallery my webpage. I have been shooting these majestic creatures for a few years now, they are inspiring. Almost as good as fish.............
Enjoy em!

Thanks for the great suggestion Marty! I'll give it a try.
Awesome gallery!!

Randy T

Very Nice images Randy and Marty. I was wondering about your technique for getting these shots are they from a blind ? we have several that follow the geese down and stay for a month or two , they seem impossible to approach here, the geese are heavily hunted so I suspect that 500 looks like a 12 gauge to them.

Thanks gll,

For these images I was at an overlook right off a highway out in the open. The eagles were flying really high, but every once in a while, one would fly by somewhat lower. I try to remain still and if I do move, I do it very slowly. In a 2 day period, I was at this overlook over 8 hours. It also helped that there wasn't many other people around. During the winter months I use my car as a blind if I can. If not I find a good place to "hide" and sit on my padded ice fishing bucket. Just like hunting, knowing your prey's habits is essential. Patience and perseverance are also key.

Randy T

When they were here last I used a 500mm f4 on a gimbel head with remote release, which I bought almost specific for the job and also a 100-400 f4-5.6 handheld for flyers or also on tripod w release. I have found a car blind to work very well, and would like to try a regular hunters blind, I think it would work very well. These birds are so interesting to watch that you can spend hours without even noticing a minute. Warm clothes and camo.


I have to say that the 500mm f4 Canon is an incredible tool-but it has it's price in weight and $$$. I use the 100-400 much more often for general use.

So where are some more shots?

Awesome shots! I am a 'incompetent birder.' :P It is one area of my development that I have been continually palsied in. Shots like these are just great.

James

Thanks James,
When it comes to capturing birds in flight, I get a lot more rejects than keepers.

Marty..
Here's a couple more





Randy T