I had three goals to accomplish this weekend and I was able to complete two of them.  The one goal I wasn’t able to carry out was to go to LD #14 in Le Claire and shoot eagles. Burt said that the eagles were not fishing Saturday and he wasn’t sure they would be on Sunday.  By the time I completed my projects it was simply too late to head to Le Claire.

I checked out a couple of places and finally ended up at LD #11.  No fishing today just 4 eagles sitting high in the trees.  So based on the advice of my friend Burt G.  I set up the D3 to shoot with the following parameters: ISO 1200, aperture f8.0, shutter speed 1/1500 sec single focus / continuous focus, noise reduction turned on,  and high burst mode.  I had the camera on a tripod and the eagles were not moving.  Still could not get a sharp image!  😦  I hate this lens.

Frustrated I went over to 14th and Sycamore Streets to check on the Geese and Ducks.  Lots of them around and I captured this sequence of a pair of geese coming in for a landing.

I was sitting on one of the big stones that allows you to view the entire area and I was shooting some of the mallard ducks when I noticed a pair of geese preparing to land.  I thought this was a good opportunity to practice my panning skills.

Burt sent  me some of his eagle shots.  They are beautiful.  Tack sharp and wonderfully composed.  So those are the images I’m trying to emulate and I’m not even coming close.

Maybe I need to stick to barns.  They don’t move and I can sneak up on them pretty good.  Enjoy your Monday.  Thank you for stopping by.  Be careful.