The Bald Eagle | a 7 Image Story

The Bald Eagle | a 7 Image Story   The majestic Bald Eagle, national symbol of the United States of America, resides only on North America.  Bald Eagles are just magnificent creatures.  The B&W format forces attention to the features of the eagle and its environment.  Unless you live in Hawaii, there exists literally dozens of places to see and photograph Bald Eagles in North America.  In the Lower 48, winter is very likely the best time for eagle watching since the northern birds migrate south to find open water. The Mississippi River valley and its tributaries have many places where the the water is open all winter.  Bald Eagles are found through much of coastal Alaska, southern Canada, the United States, northern Mexico, and Baja California. They are found in all states except Hawaii.  Although Illinois has the largest winter population of eagles except Alaska, it has only around 125 active nests.  Bald Eagles are also prevalent in Florida, Wisconsin, Washington, Minnesota, Oregon, Michigan, and, of course, Alaska with the largest concentration. These birds stay near large bodies of water; lakes and rivers.  Bald Eagles are still on the federal threatened species list, but are not any longer on the endangered species list.  The national parks like Yellowstone tend to be havens for eagles.  Of course, one of the best places on the planet to see and photograph Bald Eagles is Haines, Alaska.

Photographing Bald Eagles

Although they make great portrait shots, it’s not necessarily easy to get close enough, even with a long lens.  Of course, the eagle in its environment shot is much easier.  You must get close, but not too close to them.  How close?  Well, that depends on the images you are trying to capture, your location, the surrounding area, the camera gear with you, etc.  But, you can not get so close that you disturb the eagle.  In some locations, like national and state parks, where eagles have become accustomed to humans and motor vehicles, you can sometimes get close enough, without disturbing the eagle.  See Bald Eagle Field Etiquette below.  Two approaches to “get close, but not too close” have worked well for me:

Use your vehicle as a blind!
Research the web for an area with Bald Eagles near you.  Bald Eagles tend to perch and nest near rivers and lakes with open water.  Many rivers and lakes have roads right next to them. From your research, find a road close to a river or lake with open water.  In northern winter areas, find open water where the open water area is limited compared to iced over areas.  Scout the area first and notice where the eagles tend to perch.  It’s best to find a road that is lightly traveled, but traveled enough for the eagles to have become accustomed to vehicle traffic.  Drive down the road slowly. Have your window open and camera ready before you get to a place to stop.  Be safe.  Pull over, off the roadway or to a convenient parking place.  Don’t make loud noises.  Watch for traffic.  Use your window, maybe with a beanbag, as your “tripod” to support your camera and/or lens.

Get to a Bald Eagle fishing area before any eagles arrive and wait!
Research the web for an area with Bald Eagles near you. In northern winter areas, along certain rivers with locks and dams, Bald Eagles will gather by the tens, even hundreds to fish in the open water around such facilities. Sometimes, these areas are at or near public land like state or federal parks.  Scout the area.  Notice places away from the main body of open water; maybe a river branch, maybe a canal, which still has open water. Notice if eagles perch there and fish.  When there are no eagles perched along the area, slowly walk to a place where you can capture a good photo of the eagles fishing, but which is at least 50 yards from where the eagles will likely perch.  If you have a blind and/or wear camo, better yet.  Now, wait. The waiting is the hard part.  It can be cold; maybe very cold and/or wet.  So, don’t forget to dress accordingly.  A tripod tends to be a handy tool.  After one or more Bald Eagles perch in a tree near you, you can capture images while they are perched.  But, wait, wait, wait until they go fishing. You may be rewarded with a great shot of an eagle with a fish in its talons.  Again, wait until the eagles leave the area before you leave.

Bald Eagle Field Etiquette
Human presence can stress eagles and force them to use precious energy that they need to survive; particularly in the winter.  It’s best not to disturb the eagles especially in heavily visited areas.  Try to remain in or near your vehicle at roadside viewing locations.  Be safe; watch for traffic. Avoid loud noises, such as yelling, car door slamming, horn honking, and unnecessary movement.  Use binoculars, spotting scope, or a telephoto lens instead of trying to get “a little bit closer.”  Don’t do anything to make the eagle fly.  So, how close is too close?  Well, if the bird, in any way, alters its behavior like moving away from you or flying away, you are way too close.  Watch for signs of the eagle getting nervous; like turning around on its perch or moving its head around to look at you.  If you see these or others signs, back off; you’re too close.  Although Bald Eagles are off the endangered species list, they are still on the threatened species list.  It is still illegal to harass Bald Eagles.

Each image will be posted individually this week with a bit more narrative under category The Bald Eagle.

Click any image below for a slide show!