As Bob expressed his love and gratitude for the sausage and egg breakfast this morning with a warm hug, I spotted over his shoulder an object with a white tail flying over our field. "Hey, our leucistic Northern Harrier has returned!", I said. I was wrong.
After running to grab the camera and stumbling out on the porch I realized it was an EAGLE and he had landed in our field. 'NO CARD' was flashing in the viewfinder and I really needed the bigger lens anyway, so I ran back in to change the lens and grab a card. Isn't that the way it always happens? Another trip out and I found I could use the binoculars too because the eagle was still down in the field somewhere and I couldn't spot him through my camera lens. Another sprint inside and back out again. Finally, he started to rise and, now with the proper viewing / photography gear, I realized I had multiple subjects.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfz798yRC2z_al-SBzaSsl-2MFep7OH7LWZTdupw3t82l0S5ntxC_uI5iNfz_v_CKEE_RnhwOnbyDqN0g5kwXB2Nx3jf3ugffLk7ovFr5BQSCy-Vv4XMXU85EVOOvNmFggHHhu380ADz48/s280/Eagle-1.JPG) |
Taking off from the field |
I spotted a second white head perched in the trees. Joy and a yelp of excitement!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7QVr3OFLYy2xsHmcUY0XFkqsj7JxPpcH_zf3iaNHhiLYvnsUZYT3ZAPGoMHHEofkJ938EQLvm22BXyUrJFtLTfFlvC6vqoV1JVoKcTGg76GUS-De7EvCsqus5DT5s4XTslG2_N0dCCqt/s280/Eagle-2.JPG) |
As I tried to follow him with the camera, I accidentally captured this image and realized there was a second Eagle! |
After a couple of deep breaths, I realized my subjects were staying awhile and with the temperatures hovering near low 30's I was freezing - no coat and only my slippers to keep my toes warm. My husband quickly fetched my coat and gloves when he saw I would rather freeze than miss a second of this special event. 34 pictures later and I'm giddy with excitement.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirnqGLeRU9eMxh0ZpBZd5Q1Odqs8Swp5cVB6_pbUmGPHhBQiEpviC1Ppi8n_1XabcVob2v54tGhIU5Bnnvz15freuAcvTUlSvGrg4OoXBzjddeTqn075lZ2LcQ_YcqDjeVELFeAbGPc29o/s280/Eagle-7.JPG) |
Original, un-cropped image of the 2 pictures above this one. |
Wait, what is that third large bird flying over and around them and what
are those strange sounds they're making? No way! A THIRD eagle?
HERE? Snap, snap, snap - deep breath - quit jabbing the camera button
and 'squeeze' the button.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGa3ko_OsrSUtiCB7AjdJdnOw90lftYeScchDf6mbDmk9pWLOIXlXjGEEr9kCtEjXEQqruBT7CnAVje1jXrQZkKgmMgh8MFjDZaAoo8QkWWNh149koZvTizzDdB1I6rEorSHZ5oyGHVGxt/s280/Eagle-9.JPG) |
THREE? Yay! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OseCTpnC1a-uR0hvb6PSBYGWQiHCfb5g3JHEU7YpsMZeqoWCtjW48Sf6WA5I-_1y5M1DWS0Y-rlz7V0U4F7VB_MY7HLFXjZ_bnAwFBEBzFiLFlNBKw3pWF15fauFAdRarZhYltMBewcW/s280/Eagle-9-1.JPG) |
Original, un-cropped image of the picture above this one. |
Great shots, Kathy! I can only ever seem to photograph birds from a much greater distance, and they are usually hawks, I think. It is nice to see so many eagles at once!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Aya! I was so excited! This is their normal breeding season and Montauk is only about 10 miles away where they normally have a pair nest, but I've never seen so many at once in my immediate area!
DeleteThat is Awesome!!! I know the thrill of seeing these magnificent birds...
ReplyDelete