Saturday, January 23, 2010

Iowa Bald Eagle Photograpy

Posted in Nature

Last weekend, four other photographers traveled with me to Le Claire, Iowa in order to photograph Bald Eagles near the Mississippi River at Lock an. We had a great time taking pictures. The weather did not cooperate with us much but we still managed to get a few good shots. Some of my favorite from the trip are below.

Bald eagle with perch, Le Claire, Iowa, Mississippi River Lock & Dam 14

Posted in Nature

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Eric J. Woody - November 27, 2010 - 10:24 PM

Spectacular Bald Eagle photos. Ive done alright this year with eagle photos but I hope to get beter shots in the upcoming year. I have a few opportunities of photographing eagles at their nests in two locations so far hopefully I can find out about a few more sites. It will take a lot of patience inorder to get the type of photos I want and hopefully perfect conditions. Keep putting out spectacular photos it is inspiring and motivates me to sharpen my skills everyday.

Bob Vall - January 9, 2011 - 3:04 PM

Great shots Jason. I just got back yesterday from a day at lock 14 in LeClaire. Was able to get a few decent shots but nothing like you got. What lens were you using for these shots and what’s your secret to sharp focusing at the right moment?

Thanks

Bob V

Jason Crader - January 10, 2011 - 10:49 AM

Hi Bob! Thanks so much for the nice comments. I was using a Nikon D3s with a Nikon 300 f2.8 VR II lens and a 1.7 teleconverter. The 300 f2.8 is a super fast lens which you need to help keep up with the eagles in flight. The D3s does a wonderful job autofocusing. I used continuous AF to track the birds.

Larry Race - December 4, 2011 - 9:00 AM

great photos: I would like to travel from Minneapolis to try my luck on eagles: when would be a good time to go to the dam and what lens would I need: thanks.

Jason Crader - December 4, 2011 - 10:51 AM

Thanks Larry! The best time to go is when it is the coldest. Keep up with the weather reports for Davenport, IA and when they get a good stretch of zero or sub-zero degree weather, that will be the best time. The MIssissippi River will freeze creating congregating areas for eagles near dams where there is some open water. Good luck!

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Iowa Bald Eagle Photograpy