Adult Golden Eagle rising above a ridge – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/4000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
This morning I’m sharing a photo of a gorgeous adult Golden Eagle that I took just as it was taking off from a ridge, shortly after I found it. The golden “mane” of the eagle glowed as it passed the rabbitbrush on the left side of the frame. Of the four Golden Eagles I found two days ago only this eagle was close enough to take more than just documentary images.
This eagle was extremely skittish and lifted off from the ground before I could stop my Jeep and turn off the engine. The first two photos I took of the eagle were soft because I hadn’t been able to lock focus on the large, dark bird. I was able to lock on when I took this image of the eagle clearing the ridge. It is certainly not my best Golden Eagle image but I like it.
I see fewer Golden Eagles now than when I first moved to Utah in 2009. Recent information from HawkWatch International shows there is cause for all of us to be concerned about these amazing birds. According to HawkWatch International in 2021 only 1 chick survived to the end of the nestling period (fledged) for every 10 territories surveyed in Utah’s West Desert. The continuing drought, wildfires, the presence of prey species, and other factors are contributing to this decline.
I felt extremely lucky to find four adult Golden Eagles on just one morning. There are times that I haven’t found a single one on trips to this same area of the state.
In addition to these Golden Eagles I found two first of season Rough-legged Hawks, many American Kestrels and Red-tailed Hawks, one Ferruginous Hawk and one immature Bald Eagle. I found two large falcons that I wasn’t able to accurately ID because of poor lighting conditions plus one smaller one that I suspect was a Merlin. My other first of season sighting from that morning was four swans flying south over the road.
It was a pretty great, birdy morning and I loved every moment of it.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Golden Eagle photos plus facts and information about this species.
Whoa! Coming in hot like a stealth bomber! What a shot…what a beauty. Thanks Mia
I like your close up of the Golden Eagle flying past you. I am glad you could snap it in time.
Magnificent. And hooray for birdy mornings/afternoons/days.
He or she looks like a warplane taking off. Chilling. Beautiful.
The Golden Eagles I saw in Arizona and southern Utah were also very skittish. Very nice feather detail this time. Only got long shots. I understand your desire for a great exposure and I’m sure it will happen, but in the meantime don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.