Found Them!! Teeeeny Tiny Bald Eagles

[PixelRabbit]

Oh my gosh! We found them!! They were out at the open water so there wasn't much hope to get a shot of them other than to identify that they were in fact Bald Eagles, I'll take it for the first time out!!

In total I counted 7 of them dancing around by the open water. We stopped on the way there and talked to a local fellow that we know and he gave me some tips on where to look. There is even a little observation tower near where they roost when they come ashore so our friend figures if I get there at the right time I can get some half decent shots even with my 18-200. I'm beyond excited!!

So these are the first sight shots I got, see the dot in the first one? ... Yep that dot is an Eagle lol
Second one is a 100% crop of a few of them together.

Totally can't wait for next time we visit!!

 

[squirrels]

Woohoo! Even though you didn't have weird macro shots of teeny eagles here, I'm not disappointed. You'll get them closer next time!

In the mean time if you cropped the first shot favoring sky a little over foreground, I'd look at it all day. It looks like silence.

 

[Mully]

Throw out some small whole fish nearer to you and wait...stay warm, looks freezing!

 

[runnah]

Step 1: Buy one of these http://www.westernwatersheds.org/news_media/newsmedia_2008/images/bull-hat.jpg
Step 2: ?????
Step 3: Profit

 

[PixelRabbit]

Woohoo! Even though you didn't have weird macro shots of teeny eagles here, I'm not disappointed. You'll get them closer next time!

In the mean time if you cropped the first shot favoring sky a little over foreground, I'd look at it all day. It looks like silence.

Haha thanks! This is definitely going to be a frequently visited location, can't wait till next time
Thanks for the suggestion on the first shot, I'll tinker and see what I come up with on this one or some others of the same composition

Throw out some small whole fish nearer to you and wait...stay warm, looks freezing!

Tempting lol
It was pretty darn cold! -10ish with the winchill, I had multiple layers on so it wasn't too bad, just the fingers got very cold despite the gloves.

Step 1: Buy one of these http://www.westernwatersheds.org/news_media/newsmedia_2008/images/bull-hat.jpg
Step 2: ?????
Step 3: Profit

lmao! Totally have to get this for Mr. Rabbit lmao!!

 

[Aloicious]

Throw out some small whole fish nearer to you and wait...stay warm, looks freezing!

I wouldn't advise doing this. In many places baiting wildlife is illegal. and it raises some ethical issues too..

Photographer Jailed for Baiting Wildlife
Baiting | Mia McPherson's On The Wing Photography

 

[sm4him]

Throw out some small whole fish nearer to you and wait...stay warm, looks freezing!

I wouldn't advise doing this. In many places baiting wildlife is illegal. and it raises some ethical issues too..

Photographer Jailed for Baiting Wildlife
Baiting | Mia McPherson's On The Wing Photography

Well, dang. Now what am I gonna do with all these fish I just bought?

I find it kinda hilarious that he was fined $1035. Not just $1,000 mind you, but $1,035. Like that extra $35 is going to put it over the top and really teach them to never do that again.

On a more serious note:
I wholeheartedly agree. I think that those of us who photograph wildlife have a responsibility to respect and preserve it as well. The physician's credo to "first, do no harm" comes to mind and it's what I basically try to adhere to when I go out stalking wildlife for photography.

 

[PixelRabbit]

Agree, kinda took his suggestion as a joke
I would never bait wildlife but I would especially not mess with anything living in this location. This is by the Bruce Nuclear station, the eagles are attracted by the warm water outflow around the plant. The Bruce does not take kindly to you messing with the local wildlife, on site is full of animals and they have right of way 100% of the time. You can rest assured that if we could see the station they saw us and noted it.

 

[Rafterman]

Since the topic of baiting wildlife was brought up, I have a question. Why is having a bird feeder in your backyard NOT considered baiting wildlife? Many birds that come to our feeder have to fly across the main entry/exit roadway in our subdivision from a large wooded area and could be killed by moving traffic. We also get squirrels and rabbits in the yard that eat the seeds on the ground. Why am I not in jail serving a 180-day term with a fine of $1,000?

OK, obviously there's a little sarcasm there, but seriously, can anyone explain to me where the line is drawn? I've seen people in our area with deer corn feeding stations in their yards as well. Not for hunting, just for feeding the local deer. I'm guessing laws like that only apply to endangered and/or at-risk species?

 

[sm4him]

Since the topic of baiting wildlife was brought up, I have a question. Why is having a bird feeder in your backyard NOT considered baiting wildlife? Many birds that come to our feeder have to fly across the main entry/exit roadway in our subdivision from a large wooded area and could be killed by moving traffic. We also get squirrels and rabbits in the yard that eat the seeds on the ground. Why am I not in jail serving a 180-day term with a fine of $1,000?

OK, obviously there's a little sarcasm there, but seriously, can anyone explain to me where the line is drawn? I've seen people in our area with deer corn feeding stations in their yards as well. Not for hunting, just for feeding the local deer. I'm guessing laws like that only apply to endangered and/or at-risk species?

I don't think it's so much particular species as it is about WHERE you choose to "bait"/feed them. The difference, I think, is that of feeding wildlife in your own yard and out on public lands/wildlife areas/parks, etc.

Which brings up the question--can I toss the fish out in my own backyard and take pictures of whatever swoops down to pick it up, without fear of imprisonment or penalties? I don't know, and since the most likely thing to find the fish would likely be rats from the businesses on a nearby street, I don't think I'll be doing that experiment. :lmao:

 

[Rafterman]

We get raptors around our neighborhood somewhat frequently since we're in a semi-rural area of the county (no city or town taxes! ). I have a pet kingsnake that eats thawed pre-killed frozen mice. I wonder if I put a thawed mouse on one of the fence posts, who would show up to eat it (if this is legal to do in my area, of course).

 

[Aloicious]

Agree, kinda took his suggestion as a joke
I would never bait wildlife but I would especially not mess with anything living in this location. This is by the Bruce Nuclear station, the eagles are attracted by the warm water outflow around the plant. The Bruce does not take kindly to you messing with the local wildlife, on site is full of animals and they have right of way 100% of the time. You can rest assured that if we could see the station they saw us and noted it.

yeah, I did too, I know Mully is a responsible person, but I just didn't want new people or guests to view the post thinking that we condone that kind of action. I run and moderate a few other forums so I have the whole 'what are guests on the site going to think' mindset going on alot.

Since the topic of baiting wildlife was brought up, I have a question. Why is having a bird feeder in your backyard NOT considered baiting wildlife? Many birds that come to our feeder have to fly across the main entry/exit roadway in our subdivision from a large wooded area and could be killed by moving traffic. We also get squirrels and rabbits in the yard that eat the seeds on the ground. Why am I not in jail serving a 180-day term with a fine of $1,000?

OK, obviously there's a little sarcasm there, but seriously, can anyone explain to me where the line is drawn? I've seen people in our area with deer corn feeding stations in their yards as well. Not for hunting, just for feeding the local deer. I'm guessing laws like that only apply to endangered and/or at-risk species?

I don't think it's so much particular species as it is about WHERE you choose to "bait"/feed them. The difference, I think, is that of feeding wildlife in your own yard and out on public lands/wildlife areas/parks, etc.

Which brings up the question--can I toss the fish out in my own backyard and take pictures of whatever swoops down to pick it up, without fear of imprisonment or penalties? I don't know, and since the most likely thing to find the fish would likely be rats from the businesses on a nearby street, I don't think I'll be doing that experiment. :lmao:

I think Sharon is right, its mostly about WHERE you are feeding them, and the dangers to wildlife that you are posing. for example, I wouldn't toss fish in your backyard trying to attract raptors to a neighborhood, but I see no harm in having a small birdfeeder in a tree....the humane society recommends cutting down on backyard feeding in warm months when food is naturally plentiful, and to make sure feed receptacles are cleaned regularly to prevent the spread of disease:
To Feed or Not to Feed Wildlife? : The Humane Society of the United States

 

[PixelRabbit]

Absolutely Aloicious, a little reminder is always a good thing

I agree with you on feeding wildlife, you have to keep in mind where you live. I throw the mice the cats catch just outside the house so I might have a chance of seeing who comes to snatch it up (more often than not it's a Blue Jay believe it or not!) but I'm very rural and surrounded by 20 acres of our own land, we have resident creatures and I consider it giving them an easy meal/treat and they won't be scouting anyone else's critters while they are at it. When we lived in town I never would have done the same.