Being in the right place at the right time makes a world of difference when bird watching.
Take this morning for example. Doing my morning ritual of filling the bird feeders, I saw a third year Bald Eagle soaring over the cove off our back yard. It was making passes within 50 yards of where I stood, so I headed back into the house to get my camera.
Returning to my vantage point, the Eagle was nowhere to be found. While thinking about making a homemade holster for my camera rig so it’s always handy and nearly ready to give up on the Eagle, I saw movement to my right. Coming from the narrows on the Winnegance Bridge side of the cove were a pair of adult Bald Eagles.
At first, the pair kept their distance, doing an in-flight courtship ritual. Diving and swirling around each other at a very high altitude, I watched in awe and silently hoped that they would get closer. Suddenly, the pair seemed to tumble earthward. I thought they had a collision! Just before crashing into the spruce trees on the other side of the cove, the pair split off. One came directly toward me, the other heading toward Doubling Point Lighthouse with American Crows on its heals.
It is very difficult to photograph a Bald Eagle screaming directly toward you. The focus is forever changing, even with AI focus tracking turned on. Suddenly the Eagle turned and I began firing away. In no time flat it was gone. I noticed my heart thumping in my chest. WOW!
As I went through the photos, The head on shots were awful. Should I have tried to change my angle? In doing this I risk spooking the bird. Maybe I better practice photographing birds coming head on. Most of my problem was that the cameras settings were set for a previous shoot that I did and in all the excitement, I didn’t make any changes. I did gather myself together enough to make adjustments when the Eagle turned.
I did a little research on the internet to found out what was going on with the pair. It seems that indeed they were falling toward earth on purpose:
Once attracted to a potential partner, the Bald Eagle may begin one of several elaborate courtship rituals called “cartwheeling.” In this magnificent display, the Eagles soar to dizzying heights, lock talons, and begin a breathtakingly death-defying plunge to the earth. Just moments before striking the ground, the eagles disengage and once again soar to the heavens. If the timing is not perfect, certain death awaits this pair of speeding bullets.
What a fantastic morning! Three Bald Eagles and a couple of decent photos to accompany the memories. If only that 600mm lens was a little more affordable, I might have photos of this ritual.
Camera: Canon 40D
Lens: Canon 100-400mm IS L
Handheld with BushHawk
All thumbnail photos are clickable to bring up a larger view. Enjoy!
Bald Eagle in Flight | Bath, Maine
Bald Eagle in Flight | Bath, Maine
Happy birding!
{ 8 comments }
How wonderful!!! I live on a small island off the coast of Cape Breton in the summer and have a resident pair of eagles that keep me so well amused. Your story makes me miss them! Just before I ret’d to Maine for the winter, I had a N.Harrier coming straight at me, too, and like you, found it difficult to take pictures. I got one good one, and then, of course, one of it from the rear!!! Great story. Thanks for sharing.
I am so happy that you got to see their courtship ritual. I havn’t seen this in a while. But when I have seen it, it was always an awesome sight to behold. Sometimes, I have heard that they even crash into the trees since they are so locked into the moment.
I totally understand how you feel about trying to photograph a bird coming straight at you. I have had the same challenge with the red tailed hawks I have taken a strong liking to. I can’t even imagine how I would be with eagles!! Despite the challenges you had, I love both shots. You are so lucky to be able to see eagles where you live. I have to travel approx. 30 miles away to get a look and I have not succeeded thus far.
Interesting about the crows, I didn’t know they stalked eagles too.
Great day.
Viewed the moment and came away with some great photos.
Birds in flight is certainly a challenge.
“If only that 600mm lens was a little more affordable” I share these sentiments!
Wow – what a sight to have witnessed! I’d love to see an Eagle of any type just flying but….
(I shall be very green if you get the 600mm lens –
)
Last week one of possibly the same pair came up over the Bath bridge as we we driving across, possibly thirty feet in front of us; close enough to look him in the eye.
Quite the spot!
Wow..how awesum to see this happening…I had no idea they did this..now I hope I can see the same thing1
Bravo!! Absolutely beautiful!!
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