February 8, 2009 - Birds in Flight
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I’ve been trying to improve my skills at photographing birds in flight. It’s a lot trickier than taking photos of perched birds. Birds that soar, like this adult Bald Eagle, are somewhat easier. At least you don’t have to deal with the wing position as the bird is flapping. This bird was riding the air currents over St. George Island where we are staying. Eagles soar with their wings flat and held straight out to the side.
Compare this juvenile Bald Eagle with the adult above. It takes Bald Eagles about 5 years to develop their dark body and white head and tail. Juveniles start out with mostly dark brown feathers. After about a year, they develop a lot of white on their body and wings like the one in this photo. As they get to be 3 or 4 years old, the white feathers are replaced by brown ones and the head and tail gradually become white. Notice how the wing feathers on the juvenile are somewhat longer than on the adult, thus giving the wing a wider or broader look. I was lucky to get this shot. I was standing near my car at the boat landing in St. George Island State Park talking to another visitor. I noticed a large bird flying toward us and at first I thought it was an Osprey. I looked through my binoculars and realized it was a juvenile Bald Eagle and it was heading right for us. I grabbed my camera and managed to take a couple of shots before the bird passed over us. This one turned out pretty well.
This was one of the many Ring-billed Gulls flying around on a visit to Mexico Beach, Florida.
Some interesting flight poses can be taken as birds land. They are at least slowing down so you don’t have to try to follow them in flight. They also get their wings in great positions to help them land. This Laughing Gull is just about to fold its wings down after landing at Mexico Beach.
Brown Pelicans use their wings as brakes when they are landing. This one is aiming for a post at St. Joseph Peninsula State Park. I’m also impressed by the size of their large feet.
jane brodie
on February 11, 2009Thanks for including us in sharing your wonderful photos, Earl. They are amazing. Having been just back from Jekyll, they brought fond memories back for me. Jane
earlorfphotos
on February 9, 2009Hi Robin,
I'm going to guess that this bird has molted most of the tail feathers for the first time and that the couple of longer feathers are juvenile feathers that still haven't molted. I have a raptor book that shows a juvenile Bald Eagle with about half of the wing feathers molted and it gives the same appearance.
Earl
rrvroegop
on February 9, 2009Earl,
I really like the juve bald eagle photo because it shows something I haven't seen before, even in my Sibley FG: that notched effect on the tail feathers is pretty distinctive. Good bird photography can sure be informative. Thanks!