The Original Blueprint photos

I don’t know what it is about the Bald Eagle but to see this majestic bird take flight and soar overhead is just breath taking. To capture this flight was a goal of mine.

This past Saturday, I had a chance to go out to the Conowingo Damn in Maryland with a new lens and the hopes of capturing a Bald Eagle. The new lens has a telephoto zoom up to 600mm and compared to my previous limit of 300mm, I was hoping to have a better chance in capturing Eagles in flight. To start, I should preface that I was still skeptical of my skills with a new lens as to whether I’d be able to capture a bird in flight.

In the morning, I started with a trip pod thinking it would help keep the lens steady but I found the motion for quick flight to be too restrictive. I decided to switch to holding the lens. The four pound lens proved to be taxing on my wrists and hands.

I should preface that I have far more failed shots than successful ones. Out of over 550 shots, less than half a-dozen came in focus and sharp. Talking to others who were taking photos this is more often the norm then the exception. These birds are moving fast and to time your shots to match their speed while also trying to keep focus is extremely hard.

I will end with this final note. Do not be afraid to try, try and try again. One of these times, you make capture the Essense that makes up the beauty around us.