My
temporary address for the last twelve weeks has been Swamp Side Massachusetts watching
an eagle nest. What an experience to say the least! I spent about 90 hours watching the nest site.
Some visits lasted only an hour and others four and five hours. You sit
patiently hoping to get a minute of fast action when an adult eagle makes a
food drop.
There were a
number of outings that were complete boredom, like “watching
grass grow”, This activity certainly challenges one’s patience.
However, watching and photographing the eaglet’s feeding
was exciting. I missed several food drops while setting up and another while
dilly dallying with camera settings. I had sat for hours only to miss the opportunity,
becoming distracted. I was pretty upset at myself for that. It is a process of learning.
That happened only ONCE. Watching the eaglet’s behavior
and interaction was an interesting and rewarding experience.
My goals
for this project were:
1) Learn more
about eagles & nesting.
2) Improve
camera skills.
3) Take field notes.
4) Do I have
the patience to see this through?
5) Put together
PowerPoint Presentation to share.
The project
goals were check marked completed! Hopefully next year there will be another opportunity.
Camera equipment
used:
-
Canon 7D Mark ii
-
400 mm lens
-
1.4 convertor
All photos required
heavy cropping
Jim
