Golden Eagle

Last year, in December, I went to Sweden with the goal of taking some dramatic shots of the majestic Golden Eagle. I had a great experience, even though the bad weather conditions and not that much luck, prevented me from coming back home with the great pictures I was hoping.

In April, I went to visit Conny again, this time to photograph the Black Grouse during the mating season. Since the birds stop fighting around 9:00am, the rest of the day was available to focus on different species, and I asked Conny to stay in the eagle hide to try again and shoot this wonderful bird.

So every day, after a one-hour drive back from the lek to the house, and after having some breakfast, I was going to the eagle hide to spend the afternoon there.

Unfortunately, the first three days passed with no eagle showing up: the following day was going to be my last chance and I was preparing myself "psychologically" to get home once again without the eagle shot. 

On the fourth day I arrived to the hide as usual, after passing the first hours in the early morning with Conny at the Black Grouse lek. Some time passed without anything special happening, but then, finally some luck: I saw a shadow passing over the hide, a glimpse of the Golden Eagle, and it landed on the trees nearby. I took some shots with the second camera placed on the side of the hide while the eagle flew, over my head, to land again, but this time just in front of the hide. The dominant male, an old eagle that had been visiting the site for many years.

               400mm f/5.6 1/1000sec ISO320 +1

               400mm f/5.6 1/1250sec ISO320 +1

               400mm f/5.6 1/1250sec ISO320 +1

The majestic bird was very close, just a few meters from me. I am glad I had placed there the 5D MkIII, set in silent mode – I do not know what would have been its reaction from hearing a normal shutter sound. I was moving my lens extremely slowly, not to scare the eagle and I was able to admire and photograph that bird for almost 50 minutes: just the eagle and myself.

No fights between birds, dramatic shots in the snow or contest winning pictures, I know, but such a close encounter with the Golden Eagle was really special.

               800mm f/8.0 1/320sec ISO1000

               800mm f/8.0 1/640sec ISO1000

               560mm f/8.0 1/1000sec ISO640 -0.33

               800mm f/8.0 1/1000sec ISO1000

               400mm f/8.0 1/2000sec ISO1000

               200mm f/6.3 1/250sec ISO640

               560mm f/6.3 1/1600sec ISO640

               200mm f/6.3 1/1000sec ISO640

               200mm f/6.3 1/1600sec ISO640

               560mm f/6.3 1/250sec ISO640

Searching for the Golden Eagle – Day 4 and 5

The time to leave has arrived. We are heading back to Skelleftea airport this morning and... yes it's a gorgeous day without a single cloud in the sky. Grrrr. Of course: when we are leaving it's going to be a beautiful day with perfect photographic conditions. Oh, well, that's how it goes.

Yesterday, on the contrary, it was the worst day, weather-wise. It's been overcast for the whole time, with really little light. Our last chance and hope to take good shots of the golden eagle was a little disappointing. Not because we didn't see the birds, but because it was very challenging to shoot them.

Since the early morning, our friends the woodpecker, the squirrel and the little birds kept us company until the eagles came.

             EOS 5D Mark II – Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM f/5.6 1/100sec ISO 2500

             EOS 5D Mark II – Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM f/5.6 1/160sec ISO 2500 +0.33

             EOS 5D Mark II – Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM f/5.6 1/80sec ISO 2500 +1

Yes, we had a decent number of visits, but the light was too bad. I shot anyway, but the very high ISO turned out to heavy digital noise that killed all the details in the pictures.

             EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF200-400mm f/4L IS USM EXT@560mm f/5.6 1/40sec ISO 8000

             EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF200-400mm f/4L IS USM EXT@560mm f/5.6 1/80sec ISO 8000 +0.67

             EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF200-400mm f/4L IS USM EXT@560mm f/5.6 1/100sec ISO 8000 +0.67

             EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF200-400mm f/4L IS USM EXT@560mm f/5.6 1/50sec ISO 6400

In the evening, after another deliciously awesome dinner cooked by Catarina, we lived a 30-minute drama when we found out our Lufthansa flight had been cancelled because of a two-day strike. We got on the phone for a wait that seemed to last forever but finally we were able to change the flight going this time through Switzerland. It turned out to be a much longer trip, but at least we were able to find a flight.

Conny had offered to bring us to see the forest were Ally shot the Siberian Jay a few days ago and relieved then, after securing our flights, we got ready to go out for some night photography. The sky was now perfectly clear and we were looking forward to some nice shots in the forest.

The experience was great. The two-hundred-year-old forest, next to the icy river, was lit by the Moon and its rays were reflecting on the ice. No photo can really make you live the same way when you experience that in person. The view was fantastic.

             EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM @17mm f/6.3 25sec ISO 3200

                          EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM @17mm f/10.0 30sec ISO 6400

                          EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM @29mm f/11.0 13sec ISO 1600

It's time. We say goodbye to Ally and Conny as they go to the hide for another day, and we go to take our luggage.

The trip will be ok, apart still some problems with our luggage not able to fit on board the last Swiss Air very busy flight, but in the end we'll get home safe and sound.

             EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM @24mm f/10.0 1/1600sec ISO 1600

             EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM @40mm f/10.0 1/8000sec ISO 1600

It's been a very good experience, despite the photographic results a little below our expectations – you can't command Nature, it's part of the game. This "adventure" gave us the possibility to meet great people and to get to know a place where we want to go back. November is probably not the best time, light-wise, so next time we'll try to plan better, if we can.

             EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM @24mm f/5.0 1/60sec ISO 800

We thank Conny Lundström for the help and guidance he gave us during this experience. He shared his 25-year experience as a nature photographer and his deep knowledge about those wonderful birds that are the golden eagles. His pictures won international prizes and have been published in famous nature photography magazines.

             EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM @24mm f/4.0 1/5sec ISO 4000 +1.67

Searching for the Golden Eagle – Day 3

Here we are, ready for a new day, after the boost got yesterday from seeing our first eagle. After breakfast we head for our spotting site. Weather is not too bad, even though it's not fully clear. Luckily for me and Valerio, our luggage came in yesterday as announced and we are able to wear something warmer: we are below zero, and even if it's not too cold, it's nice to wear some extra layers!

Same routine as yesterday and soon we hear ravens and little birds coming. That is a good thing and we maintain maximum silence not to disturb the birds: that helps creating a "safe" scenario that should "call" the eagles and make them feel at ease. More birds are coming today and the squirrel visits us again as well.

             EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM f/5.6 1/60sec ISO 6400

                                     EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM f/5.6 1/160sec ISO 1600

                                  EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM f/5.6 1/160sec ISO 2000

Conny listens carefully to the sounds around us and can tell some eagles are around. After some time, conditions are perfect, with a very nice light, but no eagle decides to show up at that moment... and we try to relax taking pictures of the ravens. Something is in the air, though, and Conny and Ally show us a dead tree where they say the eagle often sits, before getting down.

             EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF 200-400 mm f/4L IS USM EXT @560 mm f/5.6 1/200sec ISO 640 +1

             EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF 200-400 mm f/4L IS USM EXT @560 mm f/5.6 1/250sec ISO 1250 +0.67

             EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF 200-400 mm f/4L IS USM EXT @560 mm f/5.6 1/250sec ISO 800 +1

             EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF 200-400 mm f/4L IS USM EXT + 2X III @800 mm f/8.0 1/80sec ISO 800 +1

And finally, there it is: the male lands on the dead tree and we take our shots. I do not want to push the ISO here, and light is not great, so shutter speed is far from ideal, but the eagle is quite close. The bird seems posing for us, with a regal posture, showing off all its beauty.

             EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM f/5.6 1/50sec ISO 640 +1

             EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM f/5.6 1/100sec ISO 640 + 0.33

A short flight and it's down. We shoot, being careful not to make too much noise. Single shot is preferable and whenever the eagle stops eating to look around, concerned, we wait a couple of seconds before shooting again.

             EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF 200-400 mm f/4L IS USM EXT @560 mm f/5.6 1/400sec ISO 2000 +0.67

             EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF 200-400 mm f/4L IS USM EXT @560 mm f/5.6 1/400sec ISO 2000 +0.67

             EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF 200-400 mm f/4L IS USM EXT @560 mm f/7.1 1/500sec ISO 2000 +0.67

             EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF 200-400 mm f/4L IS USM EXT @560 mm f/7.1 1/640sec ISO 2000 +0.33

             EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF 200-400 mm f/4L IS USM EXT + 2X III @800 mm f/8.0 1/160sec ISO 800 +0.33

             EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF 200-400 mm f/4L IS USM EXT + 2X III @800 mm f/8.0 1/125sec ISO 1250 +0.67

At a certain point the bird flies to land on a tree nearby, always confronted by the ravens that look like they are absolutely not afraid, actually even look like challenging the golden eagle.

             EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF 200-400 mm f/4L IS USM EXT @560 mm f/7.1 1/200sec ISO 2000 +0.67

             EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF 200-400 mm f/4L IS USM EXT @560 mm f/9.0 1/125sec ISO 2000 +0.67

The eagle flies away. It seems it's not the only one in the area. A new couple is taking a look around and that might be a possibility for fights. But unfortunately that doesn't happen. 

             EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF 200-400 mm f/4L IS USM EXT @560 mm f/5.6 1/250sec ISO 2500 +0.67

             EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF 200-400 mm f/4L IS USM EXT @560 mm f/5.6 1/400sec ISO 3200 +0.67

             EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF 200-400 mm f/4L IS USM EXT @560 mm f/5.6 1/320sec ISO 2000 +0.67

Later in the day, an old eagle comes to the site. It's the first time Conny sees her this year, she usually comes a little later in the season, and he's happy to see she's still alive. This one is very hungry and keeps eating. Light is gone now, and it's no use to keep trying shooting, since we need to go up to (and over) 25,600 ISO and that is creating so much noise that the final result is totally off our desired standards.

             EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF 200-400 mm f/4L IS USM EXT @412 mm f/5.6 1/125sec ISO 8000

We can't leave, though and we need to wait until is safe to go without being seen.

We return to home base happy because today we have been able to take some shots, but not completely satisfied at the same time because of the hard conditions that the little light forced us to work with. We'll see what's come out after we edit the photos.

We decide to rest tonight and after dinner we  take the opportunity to chat a little altogether and to admire Ally's photos taken during her past visits. Those are so beautiful that we are completely speechless. Valerio and I are very jealous, but at the same time we receive great inspiration to continue in our adventure.

Searching for the Golden Eagle – Day 1

The Golden eagle. Beautiful, strong, majestic, iconic. A dream for many nature photographers. One of my dreams as well.

We leave from Malpensa early in the morning, Sabrina, Valerio and myself, to start our adventure in the search of the eagle. Our destination, Kalvträsk, Sweden. There we'll spend three full days with Conny who will guide us in this endeavour.

After three flights and 8 hours, after begging Lufthansa crew to let us bring the heavy camera equipment on-board, after missing our luggage that remained in Frankfurt, we finally arrive in Skelleftea, the closest airport to the little village that will be our home-base. 

There is Conny's wife,  Catarina, who is so nice to have come to the airport to pick us up; we drive two hours into the forest – apart a little stop to get some supplies in Burträsk – until we get to Kalvträsk.

Not all the time will be dedicated to the eagles, because the sun sets very early and is already dark at 3:30pm, so one other goal of this trip is to photograph the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis. So, despite the long journey out here, after a very good pasta dinner we are already ready to go out for some night photography. Before going, we do not know if we'll see the the Northern Lights, the activity is expected moderate, but the sky is clear and the stars are bright against the dark celestial sphere, so we are sure we will not regret this.

Two other photographers from England are here and almost ready to leave, but tonight they join the group for one last shooting session and all the 5 of us, plus Conny behind the wheel, get onto his 4-wheel drive truck, and head outside the village. Along the road it looks like we were in a Christmas winter land fairy tale: everything is frosted and sparkling in front of the car's lights. Once we get to the place, we unload our tripods and set to take pictures of the Milky Way. It's cold but bearable.

             EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF17-40mm f/4L USM@22mm f/4.0 25sec ISO3200 - tripod

We start shooting at the stars but soon the sensors of our cameras start picking some green reflections over the horizon, so we concentrate our attention there. The phenomenon keeps changing, sometimes with red flashes, sometimes with vertical or horizontal  light designs. The naked eye can't really see all the colors, because the activity is low, 2-3 on a scale of 9, but the powerful sensors of the cameras can record this wonderful expression of Nature. 

             EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF17-40mm f/4L USM@17mm f/4.0 15sec ISO3200 - tripod

 I wish Denise could be here with me, but she could have never "survived" the cold temperature we will go through in the next few days and nights. 

             EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF17-40mm f/4L USM@17mm f/6.3 30sec ISO3200 - tripod

             EOS 5D Mark III – Canon EF17-40mm f/4L USM@17mm f/5.0 25sec ISO2000 - tripod

When the activity slows down, we decide to get back, since tomorrow we'll have to leave before dawn. Even though its intensity was not high, experiencing the Norther Lights for the first time it's been very exciting.