Bald Eagle Take-Off Sequence

[Kyle Jones]

We were able to get pretty close to this eagle and I'd had enough practice at this point to be able to keep it in the frame as it took off. Two things I have learned as a novice bird photographer: nothing beats proximity to improve image quality; and don't frame too tightly if you want to get the whole bird in the shot when it takes off.

Anyway, here is the sequence of photos as it took flight. Any thoughts and critique are welcome.

1) On the sign

2) Crouching for launch

3) Wings extended

4) Off the sign

5) Getting going

6) Extended in the air

7) In flight with wings extended

 

[AlanLichty]

Nice sequence with clean sharp details in each frame. How many FPS were you shooting for this set of captures?

 

[Kyle Jones]

Nice sequence with clean sharp details in each frame. How many FPS were you shooting for this set of captures?

Pretty sure it was 9 fps. I wasn't trusting the faster electronic shutter yet. That part is a long story

 

[AlanLichty]

Pretty sure it was 9 fps. I wasn't trusting the faster electronic shutter yet. That part is a long story

My camera (R5MII) can shoot 30fps but I am thinking I might slow that down. Way too many frames I have to wade through to get to the keepers. Even short shooting sessions can lead to hundreds of captures with most of them getting tossed because they are literally duplicates.

 

[Kyle Jones]

My camera (R5MII) can shoot 30fps but I am thinking I might slow that down. Way too many frames I have to wade through to get to the keepers. Even short shooting sessions can lead to hundreds of captures with most of them getting tossed because they are literally duplicates.

I can set up 20 or 40 fps with the electronic shutter and had exactly the same concern. I used the 20 fps sometimes (as a compromise) but got confused in the field as it seemed to only capture one frame. As it turned out, it saves the super-fast fps images in a group - so the images were all there I just hadn't realized it. The nice thing about that is if it turns out you made a mistake you only have to delete the group to get rid of all of them.

 

[AlanLichty]

I can set up 20 or 40 fps with the electronic shutter and had exactly the same concern. I used the 20 fps sometimes (as a compromise) but got confused in the field as it seemed to only capture one frame. As it turned out, it saves the super-fast fps images in a group - so the images were all there I just hadn't realized it. The nice thing about that is if it turns out you made a mistake you only have to delete the group to get rid of all of them.

I like the idea of a folder group for a capture sequence like that. That would really help out with the winnowing process.

 

[JimFox]

What an amazing sequence Kyle! Love this a lot! You have me looking to go find some Bald Eagles here in Colorado.

And I agree, framing too tight has caught me a few times. Better to a bit wider and then crop later.

 

[JohnC]

Very nice Kyle. Can I ask where this was taken?

 

[Kyle Jones]

Very nice Kyle. Can I ask where this was taken?

Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge just south of Klamath Falls, Oregon

 

[JohnC]

Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge just south of Klamath Falls, Oregon

Thanks. I was there some years back but don’t remember too much about the area.

 

[Jameel Hyder]

Nice action shots.