fredag 26. februar 2021

3 DAYS IN A WINTERLY HIDE WITH EAGLES & GOSHAWK




Golden Eagle. A heavy snow shower is a blessing for any photographer

Nikon D5, Nikkor 600 4,0, f/4,0, 1/1600, ISO 5000

My friend Leiv Arne Åkset runs a commercial photo-hide up in Marnardal in southern Norway. His place is well known for amazing sparrow-hawk photography in the autumn and as well as for winterly action with golden eagles and goshawk. I spent 3 days in his hide in mid February and tried to time it with white winter and snowy weather. One interesting option in his (comfortable) hide is the low camera openings from floor level. This can, if coordinated with vegetation and the level of snow on the outside and as well combined with big aperture / little depth of field in camera, provide nicely blurred foregrounds and soft backgrounds with few disturbing elements.

All pics are shot February 15-17 2021. Hope you like them.



Golden Eagle chasing away annoying magpies
Nikon D5, Nikkor 600 4,0, f/4,0, 1/1600, ISO 5600


A beautifully coloured Golden Eagle displaying "Main Tools" : beak & claws !
Nikon D5, Nikkor 600 4,0 + 1,4 conv = 850 mm, f/5,6, 1/320, ISO 3600


Golden Eagle 

Nikon D5, Nikkor 600 4,0, f/4,0, 1/1250, ISO 2000


Golden Eagle

Nikon D5, Nikkor 600 4,0, f/5,6, 1/400, ISO 3200



Closeup on Golden Eagle

Nikon D5, Nikkor 600 4,0 + 1,4 conv. = 850 mm, f/5,6, 1/400, ISO 5000



Golden Eagle

Nikon D5, Nikkor 600 4,0, f/5,6, 1/400, ISO 5600



A young Golden Eagle in flight

Nikon D5, Nikkor 600 4,0, f/4,0, 1/1600, ISO 4000



Goshawk

Nikon D5, Nikkor 600 4,0 + 1,4 conv. = 850 mm, f/6,3, 1/500, ISO 1800



Goshawk on "The Magic Perch"

Nikon D5, Nikkor 600 4,0, f/4,0, 1/400, ISO 2200



                                                                      Goshawk
                                 Nikon D5, Nikkor 400 2,8, f/4,5, 1/1000, ISO 1250

 


Portrait of feeding Goshawk

Nikon D5, Nikkor 600 4,0 + 1,4 conv. = 850 mm, f/6,3, 1/500, ISO 2200


Goshawk pulling the carcasse apart !

Nikon D5, Nikkor 600 4,0 + 1,4 conv. = 850 mm, f/6,3, 1/500, ISO 1250



Have you ever seen a Goshawk from underneath ? Check that beautiful pyjamas pattern on the lower side !

Nikon D5, Nikkor 600 4,0, f/5,6, 1/640, ISO 1100



Goshawk in late afternoon "Blue Hour" !

Nikon D5, Nikkor 400 2,8, f/2,8, 1/50, ISO 2200



Common Jay on "The Magic Perch"

Nikon D5, Nikkor 600 4,0, f/4,0, 1/640, ISO 3600



Magpie on "The Magic Perch". The low angle with the blurred snow up front and biggest aperture with little depth of field gives a soft, faded impression ...                                                                                                                      .... and the motive is perfectly matching The Golden Ratio principals ! (Det Gyldne Snitt)

                                        Nikon D5, Nikkor 600 4,0, f/4,0, 1/640, ISO 2200


 A contemplative Magpie on "The Magic Perch"
Nikon D5, Nikkor 600, f/4,0, 1/500, ISO 4000

mandag 22. februar 2021

RAVENS

 



Portrait of raven
Spain

I have a great fascination for ravens : Corvus corax !! They are known to be highly intelligent, they have a developed and advanced social life and social structure, they have a complex language with MANY different sounds & signals and they can grow very old (up to 70 years in captivity) and hence : be very experienced. Ravens are normally very shy and difficult to shoot. Most of my raven pics have been a "bonus" from long stays in winterly hides waiting for other birds and animals ... and they have often shortened my "endless waiting" with great entertainment !


Ravens are great flyers and control the flight situation with the white-tailed eagle as long as it is over the eagle. It would never fly under !
Lokka, Finland


Raven chased by adult goshawk
Joensuu Finland


Ravens like to tease and bully white-tailed eagles, but they also know to keep their distance
Kuhmo Finland


Composition with one raven and two white-tailed eagles
Lokka, Finland


Ravens in flight formation
Lokka Finland


Ravens in airial interaction
Joensuu Finland


Gothic raven with evening light down the valley
Dalen, Norway


Aggressive interaction
Lokka Finland


A typical rock band picture !!
Joensuu, Finland


Talking behind somebody's back !
Lokka Finland


Dancing riverdance !
Lokka Finland 


Dancing tango !
Lokka Finland


An egg for breakfast
Ekkerøy, Norway


Silhuet
Spain


Silence
Kuhmo Finland


Winterly raven
Joensuu Finland


Whiteout
Kuhmo Finland