Uploads from w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines)

USPS Pose - Bald Eagle

nobody@flickr.com (w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines)) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 19:05:18 -0800

w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines) posted a photo:

I couldn't help but feel there was some resemblance to this bird and the old USPS logo.

This was taken at Lock and Dam 14, in Le Claire Iowa.

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Circling Above

nobody@flickr.com (w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines)) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 19:05:18 -0800

w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines) posted a photo:

This juvenile bald eagle is circling overhead to get a better look at a fish. A few seconds after this shot he dove almost straight down and grabbed lunch.

Shot at Lock and Dam 14 in Le Claire, IA.

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Warp Speed!

nobody@flickr.com (w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines)) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 19:05:17 -0800

w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines) posted a photo:

This eagle was really hauling the mail if you know what I mean.

Shot with a Canon 100-400L at lock and dam 14 in Le Claire, IA.

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Juvenile Eagle Fishing

nobody@flickr.com (w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines)) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 19:05:17 -0800

w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines) posted a photo:

Another juvenile shot from lock and dam 14. He grabbed this fish with one claw - it later fell off and he had to circle back.

This image was made with a 100-400L at lock and dam 14 in Le Claire, IA.

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Sun-Kissed Wings

nobody@flickr.com (w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines)) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 19:05:17 -0800

w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines) posted a photo:

The crowds at Lock and Dam 14 were treated to some golden sunshine at the end of the day. The light really makes these birds' feathers pop.

Shot with a Canon 7d and 100-400L at Lock and Dam 14 in Le Claire, IA.

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Alternative Crop

nobody@flickr.com (w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines)) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 19:05:17 -0800

w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines) posted a photo:

This was a long shot for my 100-400 lens, but I really liked the reflection of the bird and the way his claws were straight out in front of him.

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Bald Eagle in Flight

nobody@flickr.com (w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines)) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 05:41:14 -0800

w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines) posted a photo:

The light is really nice at Lock and Dam 14 in the afternoons. The water gets darker, the details in the birds' feathers start to come out, and the light is behind you.

I liked this image because you can see a lot of details in the bird's wings. You can really see how flexible the outer tips of its flight feathers are.

This image was taken at L+D 14 in Le Claire, IA using a Canon 7d and 100-400L.

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Beautiful Gull

nobody@flickr.com (w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines)) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 05:41:14 -0800

w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines) posted a photo:

Eagles are the stars of the show at Lock and Dam 14, but the gulls are actually beautiful in their own right.

This is a ring bill gull and the evening light really cast a nice color on his feathers. I like how the bird matches the color of the trees in the background.

Shot with a Canon 7d and 100-400L.

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Sea Gull Getaway

nobody@flickr.com (w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines)) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 05:41:13 -0800

w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines) posted a photo:

After a successful fishing expedition, this ring bill gull is off to lunch. They are fast flyers and really good practice for you while waiting for the eagles to fly.

This image was taken at L+D 14 in Le Claire, IA using a Canon 7d and 100-400L.

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Bald Eagle - The Final Approach

nobody@flickr.com (w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines)) — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 06:51:43 -0800

w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines) posted a photo:

This is a good angle of an eagle just before it grabs a fish from the Mississippi River. If you look closely you can see his feathers dragging in the water.

This image was taken at L+D 14 in Le Claire, IA using a Canon 7d and 100-400L.

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The Getaway

nobody@flickr.com (w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines)) — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 06:51:42 -0800

w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines) posted a photo:

This eagle had a successful fishing trip, now he needs to focus on the getaway. Usually there are two or three other birds following it looking for easy meal.

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This image was taken at L+D 14 in Le Claire, IA using a Canon 7d and 100-400L.

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Soaring Eagle

nobody@flickr.com (w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines)) — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 06:51:41 -0800

w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines) posted a photo:

A bald eagle soaring above the crowds at Lock and Dam 14. He was so close I could barely keep him in the frame.

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This image was taken at L+D 14 in Le Claire, IA using a Canon 7d and 100-400L.

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Summertime in Northern Michigan

nobody@flickr.com (w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines)) — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 15:46:49 -0800

w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines) posted a photo:

Catching Walleye from the dock;
Watching the waves roll of the rocks;
She'll forever hold a place inside my soul;
We would blister in the sun, We couldn't wait for night to come;
To hit that sand and play some rock and roll!

Lyrics to "Summertime in Northern Michigan" by Kid Rock

There aren't many places that I would rather be than Northern Michigan in the summertime. I made this photo while on a family trip to Blue Lake in northwestern Michigan a few years back. It's nice to look through old summer vacation photos on a cold winter day.

Shot with my old Rebel XS and 18-55 lens.

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Lock and Dam 14 Photographers

nobody@flickr.com (w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines)) — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 05:50:05 -0800

w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines) posted a photo:

A lot of people are wondering what to expect at Lock and Dam 14 when they go to shoot the eagles. This picture is a typical Saturday afternoon along the railing.

Parking: The parking lot (and pit toilets) are right next to where you are going to shoot. It's free to park, and there is plenty of it.

Equipment: Bring the longest lens you have. I use a 100-400, but there are 500 and 600mm lenses everywhere. 70-200 is the shortest I would recommend.

Weather: The best time to visit Lock and Dam 14 is in the winter time (for eagles). The colder the better, the more ice on the river the better. I would suggest visiting between mid-December and early March. A westerly wind helps keep the birds flying towards you (instead of away from you). Don't forget that the site faces east; afternoon and evening shots are much better than morning because the sun is behind you.

I've written a longer article at Out of Chicago Blog. It includes recommended settings, food ideas and more. So bring a friend (or 50 of them) and have some fun. It's definitely worth it.

More information:
L+D14 Updates
USACE Website
Wiki
How to get a job at USACE

This image was taken at L+D 14 in Le Claire, IA using a Canon 7d and 100-400L. It's actually 9 images stitched together as a panorama in CS4.

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Soaring Eagle

nobody@flickr.com (w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines)) — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 18:07:56 -0800

w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines) posted a photo:

It's amazing how well these birds can glide and how little energy they expend doing it. This image was taken at L+D 14 in Le Claire, IA using a Canon 7d and 100-400L

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Bald Eagle Reflection

nobody@flickr.com (w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines)) — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 18:06:56 -0800

w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines) posted a photo:

Just a moment before grabbing this fish. If you look carefully to the left of the bird you can see its target.

This image was taken at L+D 14 in Le Claire, IA using a Canon 7d and 100-400L

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Flight of an Eagle

nobody@flickr.com (w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines)) — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 18:05:57 -0800

w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines) posted a photo:

This image was taken at L+D 14 in Le Claire, IA using a Canon 7d and 100-400L. The light was really good today - I love it when you can see the details in the body feathers.

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Final Approach

nobody@flickr.com (w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines)) — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 18:18:45 -0800

w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines) posted a photo:

As graceful as the american bald eagle can be, when the flaps and landing gear come down they always look a little less confident.

This image was taken at L+D 14 in Le Claire, IA using a Canon 7d and 100-400L

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Above the Fray

nobody@flickr.com (w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines)) — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 18:18:44 -0800

w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines) posted a photo:

Soaring high above the crowds at Lock and Dam 14. Shot with a Canon 7d and 100-400L

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Bald Eagle Perch

nobody@flickr.com (w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines)) — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 18:18:44 -0800

w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines) posted a photo:

If you plan to visit Lock and Dam 14, it's always a good idea to get there on the early side to secure your spot on the rail. The only problem with getting there before 11am is that the light isn't the best - you are shooting directly into the sun.

I have two suggestions for a compromise. Arrive early and use the easterly light to shoot the roosting eagles just west of the parking lot. The light is ideal for this. The suggestion is to cross over to the North and walk the Smith Trail - you might see some eagles fishing on the ice north of the locks. The light will be good here in the morning as well.

Have fun!

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