Saturday, February 20, 2010

Conowingo Dam-Bald Eagle Photography:Canon 7D


Mature Bald Eagle: Canon 7D 500mmF4

On Friday, February 19th, Coy Hill of Country Captures and I traveled to Conowingo Dam northeast of Baltimore, Md. to check out the reports of good Bald Eagle photographic opportunities there.

Conowingo Dam: Canon 30D-17-40mm

Coy Checks Out The 500mmF4-Canon 30D-17-40mm

While this is not the peak season for eagle sightings, we did see at least four different birds. One perched in a tree near a parking area for several hours, and gave several photographers the opportunity to take close-up portrait shots.


Photographing Eagle In Tree: Canon 30D-17-40mm

While I still use the Canon XL-H1 for most of my serious wildlife filming, I find that I am turning more and more to the Canon 7D DSLR for that purpose and I used it extensively on this trip. It does not have the long range ability of the XL-H1, but it does deliver beautiful footage. It is difficult to focus in video mode as one must use the LCD and it is difficult to see plainly in bright sunlight. I recently purchased the "Zacuto Finder" an add-on viewfinder which clips onto the LCD and makes it somewhat like a traditional camcorder viewfinder. This makes the camera much more effective in video mode.


Filming Eagle With Canon 7D: 100-400mm L lens, With Zacuto Finder

I hope to post either some sample clips taken with the 7D or a short film on winter wildlife in the very near future, which will use footage taken entirely with this camera.

For more Camera Critters photographs, Click Here!


15 comments:

EJ said...

Great shots, wish I have one of your powerful camera.

My Camera Critters, happy weekend.

Linda said...

gorgeous bald eagle photo ... drooling over your camera

Adrienne Zwart said...

Great shot of the eagle!

Tom said...

I look forward to seeing the clips or film Willard...

All the best to and your family.

Carletta said...

Awesome Willard!
I don't know if I'll ever be able to film one in the wild but I so would love to just see one whether or not a got a photo. :)
Carletta’s Captures.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Willard: Outstanding capture of the eagle, wonderful captures.

lv2scpbk said...

That bald eagle is beautiful. I seen a woodpecker at my parents house but couldn't get a photo of them. Thanks for visiting my blog.

Michael said...

Impressive bird there.

Coy Hill said...

Excellent shot Bro! and wouldn't you know I missed that pose while looking around for other eagles.

Brad Myers said...

Good shot Willard, it peaked early this year with the mature eagles leaving in January to tend to there nest. Next year you need to go in November and December. I made three trips this year and seen lots of eagles but did not have many chances for good photos. I will be there more this coming winter.

eileeninmd said...

Awesome shot of the Eagle! I have been to Conowingo many times to see the Eagles. Around Thanksgiving there had to be close to 200 of them there.

Kekiinani said...

Hi Willard.. I stopped by for my elk photo fix and find eagles.. HA!Well that is way cool :) Awesome shots..Hope all is well
Aloha
Renee :)

Anonymous said...

I so wanted to get down there this year and it just didn't happen. Bummer! Looks like you had fun!

Stacey Olson said...

Beautiful work as always.. I always love stopping by and playing catch up.. thanks for sharing

Anonymous said...

I do like the whole idea of the eagles here and there and eventually, maybe, everywhere. Your photo is fabulous.