Bald Eagle in Sacramento? - Ducati.ms

**John** · Jan 31st, 2010, 4:57 pm

I took a little back country ride outside of Lincoln where I live. Lincoln is a small town East of Sacramento, Ca. While cruising along in an area of farm land and rice fields I saw off to my right what I thought was a Bald Eagle standing in a flooded field. I wanted to make sure because a Bald Eagle sighting around here is about as rare as you could get. I think at one time they inhabited this area, but the usual culprit man killed them off in the usual manner. However, in many places around Northern California the bird has been making a comeback in the hills and mountains, now that they have been protected. I made a U turn and coasted to a stop with my engine off so I wouldn't scare him off. Took me a few seconds to retrieve my camera and by the time I used the little telephoto function and was just about ready to take the picture when he took off. As you can see I got the rear of him flying away. It was for sure a Bald Eagle, beautiful sight. After I took the picture I continued on my trek and noticed it was duck hunting season in progress with many hunters out in the fields. I hoped the Eagle wouldn't fall victim to some dumb ass taking him out merely because he presented a target. Personally, I think if they saw him flyover they would likely be in slight state of shock as I was and admire him for what he is.

Libido · Jan 31st, 2010, 6:39 pm

I was stunned to see a Bald Eagle fly overhead in my Columbus, GA suburban neighborhood. These are also known as River Eagles and aren't limited to the western USA, as I'd assumed. Magnificant animal!

moto · Feb 1st, 2010, 12:15 pm

When I lived in Rancho Murieta, I used to see two of them every year hanging out in one of the lakes. They would hang out in the same tree every year as I road by on my mountain bike. I think they were sizing up my German Sheppard...

They are very impressive looking birds.

-M

redpato · Feb 1st, 2010, 11:20 pm

For just a back end shot that is impressive. I live an hour's drive from the local mountains. Every year they have volunteers doing the bald eagle count. For the past few years the count has actually gone up which is nice news to hear. One of the best sightings I've witnessed was on the Verde River train ride in Arizona. Saw a nesting pair on the canyon walls. They are a beautiful animal to see in flight.

"in God we trust"

Bill_Anderson · Mar 19th, 2010, 10:56 am

We have at least four adults and three resident juveniles in my town. As I still don't have a bike, I have spent the winter photographing them and other local birds. Our local eagles have become quite "urbanized" and have turned into great posers.

Here is a sample of the thousands of eagle shots I have taken this winter with my Canon 7D and 100-400 zoom lens. A few people have told me I should start a website and sell my photos. What do you guys think?

Eagles are difficult to shoot because of their dark bodies. You have to over expose the shot slightly to pick up any feather detail. Our typical lack of sunlight up here does not help matters, either. I refuse to succumb to Photoshop and am always striving to take that perfect shot in the field.

Bill_Anderson · Mar 19th, 2010, 11:07 am

A few more taken at some of the places downtown where they typically pose. Like motorcycles, I really prefer action shots over posing. These shots were taken at the waterfront, the nearby marsh, and a tree they like to perch in at the end of Sunset Ave; all of which are a five minute drive from my house.

To get back to John's question, it does not surprise me that he saw one near Lincoln. They are making a come back after nearly being wiped out through the use of DDT, which made its way into their food chain and caused their eggs to become brittle and crack. Being a protected species at the top of the food chain, they have little to worry about except habitat destruction by us.

**John** · Mar 19th, 2010, 8:54 pm

Thats awesome Bill, beautiful shots of a beautiful bird. No wonder its our national bird. Besides habitat destruction you get the ridge runner hunter mentality who will shoot anything that flies. People like that have been responsible for many Condor deaths. The other problem is the fact the Condor feeds on carrion and sometimes that food source is peppered with lead shot. Hence they die of lead poisoning. The simple solution is outlaw lead and go to steel as some states have done, who wants all that lead in the food chain anyway? Hunters will survive, but they will twist it into some left wing political take over of their constitutional right to hunt. I used to hunt, but now I'm into conservation, especially when it comes to majestic creatures like the above. If we are the cause of their extinction (we almost were) then as far as I'm concerned that will be a reflection of what kind of society we are. I'm pessimistic in this regard.

Keep up the creative work with that new 7D and post up anything you find interesting. I wish I had a decent camera a few weeks ago because an albino finch paid a visit to our backyard bird feeder.

Bill_Anderson · Mar 20th, 2010, 12:54 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by John

Keep up the creative work with that new 7D and post up anything you find interesting. I wish I had a decent camera a few weeks ago because an albino finch paid a visit to our backyard bird feeder.

I took up bird/nature photography as a hobby while recuperating from my accident last May and have upgraded my camera and lenses since then. The Canon 7D + Canon 100-400mm zoom + tripod + extra flash cards & battery totaled about $4,500. It is not an expensive hobby compared to motorcycling and the camera doesn't need a major service every two years or 10,000 photos.

I have been posting a lot of my bird photos on the South Bay Riders Forum.
http://www.southbayriders.com/forums...ad.php?t=83716

Here are some photos from today: bald eagles welcoming in spring, bushtit eating lunch, ring-necked duck swimming.