Lee's Photoblog
Graceful Approach
Posted by Lee (Fort Frances Ontario, Canada) on 12 March 2009 in Animal & Insect and Portfolio.
I watched this pair of eagles for an afternnoon. Such large birds. One would take off and fly around. The other would sit perched, as if it were a sentry. Then it would start calling, the other bird would show up.The branches snapped as they pushed themselves off into flight. That is why I called this shot Graceful approach. When landing they appear to hover just before resting on the branch. I caught this bird in what I consider to be a perfect example of how to settle on a branch. I will go out on a limb here and guess these birds were 3 years old, based on their colour. I'm not sure if they were paired up or not, but I'd be suspecting so. Bald eagles are thought to pair for life. Apparently, the oldest age recorded for a bald eagle in the wild is 28 years old. They are truly a magnificent bird. I live in God's country, for I am blessed with having so much wildlife so close at hand.
Thank you for visiting my site. I consider myself to be lucky living where I do. Everyday I wake up to a wealth of interesting visual scenarios. Most of my pictures are Wildlife and Nature taken from around the area. The area specifically being Fort Frances Ontario on beautiful Rainy Lake. Feel free to comment on what you see. I look forward to hearing from you. If you like what you see, please rate it. Better yet, bookmark the site and drop back often. I will be posting daily.
All images are copyrighted by Lee Oelke Photography. They cannot be reproduced, electronically, or by printing without my written consent. Should you be interested in any of my images, please contact me.
@The Big Guy: Thank you. The first few shots just didn't have the same appeal.
Didier DE ZAN from somewhere, France
Beautiful shot - Exactly when it should be done great
12 Mar 2009 5:57am
@Didier DE ZAN: Thank you.
john4jack from Corvallis, United States
Terrific capture! The one on the left is really sounding off!
12 Mar 2009 5:58am
@john4jack: It would start calling, and this one would return.
@Lydie et Roland: They are beautiful and strong. I love the way they soar and glide.
@Beat: Thank you for the compliment. It is a great shot. I do have it enlarged to 12x16". It holds the detail quite well.
Markela from Athens, Greece
A beautiful capture of such amazing birds....Thank you for including your observations, very interesting info!!
12 Mar 2009 7:26am
@Markela: Thank you for the compliment.
@Veronica: Thank you
EYES WIDE SHUT from United Kingdom
As an Englishman, I cannot begin to describe the emotions I feel when, walking around in my family homeland of British Columbia, I see Bald eagles simply sitting in trees or hunting. It completely blows my mind every time.
This is an amazing shot, superbly observed
12 Mar 2009 7:53am
@EYES WIDE SHUT: Greatly appreciated Paul. Thank you.
@Marie LC: Thank you.
@eva: Thanks Eva.
jamesy from christchurch, New Zealand
and we are blessed that you share it with us. Another awesome shot
12 Mar 2009 8:35am
@jamesy: Thanks Debbie.
Mathilde from Fontainebleau, France
Wonderful capture! just the instant of the flight! Beautiful shoot!
12 Mar 2009 8:42am
@Mathilde: Timing was of the essence. Thank you
Linerberry from Sumner, Christchurch, New Zealand
Oh my!!! How do you do it???!!! This is superb!!!
12 Mar 2009 9:25am
@Linerberry: Thanks Liner, you're just not seeing the countless shots that need to be discarded.
Denise from Perry, United States
Thanks for sharing this fabulous photo. I like your narrative as well. Looks though like the "woman" is chastizing her man for something or other as he lands. I guess it doesn't matter what species, heh?
12 Mar 2009 9:54am
@Denise: Thanks Denise, I wanted to include a caption, however I could not think of something appropiate at the time.
@DaveB: Thank you Dave.
Richard_Irwin from Belper, United Kingdom
Wow, you are very fortunate to see such incredible nature in your backyard so to speak. An incredible shot, perfect timing.
12 Mar 2009 11:30am
@Richard_Irwin: I do not need to travel far. As I stated, I am very fortunate. Thank you.
@lydia: I am not sure if I am a master or not. I do enjoy photography. And I can spend hours watching or looking for wildlife. Thank you for the compliment.
Marion from Liberty Township, United States
Lee, thank you so much for sharing your readily-available wild life with us :) I am looking forward to seeing your shots each day! Thanks! Also thanks for your the magic you sent my way ;) I saved it and will try to follow your suggestions. I greatly appreciate it. :) Thanks so much!!!!!
12 Mar 2009 12:19pm
@Marion: Marion, Thank you for your kind words. You are most welcome. Good luck. I will wait to see how you do.
dogilicious from Millerstown, PA, United States
I am jealous. Eagles have slowly begun to return to central Pennsylvania and I have yet to get a great shot. This shot is amazing.
12 Mar 2009 12:41pm
@dogilicious: Eagles are growing in numbers more and more all over. I think it is wonderful. Thank you for the compliment.
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
Double Wow, imagine that...the splendour of it, takes my breath away
12 Mar 2009 1:06pm
@Lorraine: Thanks Lorraine. Well said.
Ajay from Pune, India
You are definitely lucky. I wonder how they manage to sit on such think twigs. That's really some talent. It's really nicely observed considering you spent many hours to get to that. Well shot.
12 Mar 2009 2:03pm
@Ajay: Thanks Ajay. It was an afternoon of well spent time.
Mary from PA, United States
You are truly Blessed and I appreciate how grateful you are.....and thankful that you share with us here!! Beautiful capture!!
12 Mar 2009 2:07pm
@Mary: Thank you Mary. I'm just glad to hear it is enjoyed by more than just myself.
@Daniel: Thank you for stopping by. Please visit again.
Don from spokane, United States
A fine catch of these majestic birds. I admire anyone who can get a close u image (regardless of lens used. :-) Very nice shot.
12 Mar 2009 4:31pm
@Don: Thanks Don. They are quite plentiful around here.
@Magda: Thank you very much.
Bertrand Duhamel from Granby, Canada
Wonderful capture Lee ! You're truely lucky to be able to watch these birds.
12 Mar 2009 4:50pm
@Bertrand Duhamel: And I thank my lucky stars every day. There is so much to observe around us. All we need to do is look.
@Amir: Thank you Amir, please visit again.
MontereyJohn from Salinas, California, United States
Wow! Fabulous capture. Sharp as a razor. Really well done.
12 Mar 2009 5:30pm
@MontereyJohn: Thanks John.
zOOm from Paris, France
An eagle has landed ! What an impressive and gorgeous bird indeed. The king of birds.
12 Mar 2009 6:14pm
@zOOm: Thanks Florence. They are definately the king of birds in my mind also.
Ben from Harz, Germany
woow... so wonderful... its another amazing shot... so sharp and detailed...
12 Mar 2009 7:50pm
@Ben: Thanks Ben. Just glad to hear you liked it.
Suzanne from Huntington Bch, California, United States
Awesome capture of equally awesome birds!
12 Mar 2009 8:19pm
@Suzanne: Thank you for the compliment.
@Hema Iyer: You are very welcome Hema.
mats from Houston, United States
This is an amazing capture Lee, they were both doing their own thing.. ..Shots of birds with their wings spread wide, always fascinates me.
12 Mar 2009 8:56pm
@mats: Thanks Mats. Birds in flight always impress me also. Trying to capture it is the challenge. Glad you enjoyed the shot.
Brett from McAllen, United States
Absolutely gorgeous shot of the birds. I just took some pics of a similar grouping of birds in my city; however, they were vultures. Unfortunately, I couldn't zoom in as much as this shot. I will try to post it sometime soon though.
12 Mar 2009 10:48pm
@Brett: Thanks Brett, looking forward to seeing your post.
jim from sebastopol, United States
Lee, you have a WONDERFUL collection of images here. your wildlife shots are beautiful, very well done.
13 Mar 2009 2:36am
@jim: Thank you Jim. That means a lot to me. Please visit again.
BIG SIS and Brother-inlaw from Petawawa, Canada
Hi; Lee, Mom says fascinating birds, says that she seen some on her way to Alaska. Said Dad would have enjoyed this one!!!!!!!!!!
19 Mar 2009 11:01pm
Andres Abon from Plano, United States
You have a lot of comments already, but the capture is just great! I'm considering moving to Cananda! Or at least visiting!!!
23 Mar 2009 4:23am
@Andres Abon: Thank you for your kind words. It is a magnificent wonderful country to visit. I think it is a land of photographic opportunity.
@Suzanne Labbé: Thanks Suzzanne.
@Ricardo: Thank you so much.
