Skip to main content

Your Interests About

I followed this guy about a quarter of a mile, from the ferry terminal to the fishing pier, until he rested on the breakwater. There were people around who noticed the eagle and remarked, "Lookit that bald eagle!" I thought, "Bald eagles never fail to conjure awe, no matter how many times you see them." Upon reaching the end of the pier, I sat my camera on the corner railing, got on my knees, and held the camera still. It would have been convenient to have had a tripod handy, as who knows how long it would take to be in this uncomfortable position.

As practice, I took many shots of him standing still. He’d look left, then right, then straight at me. Aside from the beeping of the auto-focus, only an occasional seagull could be heard. I didn't want to look around, for fear that the eagle would suddenly take flight. My left eye was pressed against the viewfinder, my right index finger lightly pressing the shutter button like a trigger-happy gunslinger.

As the hum of a Washington State Ferry came closer behind me, I hoped that it would spook the bird to fly. It didn't. The engine noise soon disappeared into the horizon.

My knees were starting to ache, but more importantly I was worried that my butt crack was showing.

After an hour, the bird crouched. I knew it was time. He started flapping his wings. I pressed the shutter button. Rapid shots. I whispered, "Yessssss!"

When the eagle had left, I didn't know which felt better: Capturing the bird in flight, or getting to stretch my legs. The hour of waiting and anticipating was actually only 15 minutes. But that wouldn't have sounded as dramatic.

Edmonds, 3-9-19
Camera: Sony A7iii
Lens: Sony FE3.5-6.3/24-240
240mm
1/800 shutter speed
f6.3
ISO400

A Comment by Alex

Your avatar
Alex • 04/04/2019 at 08:31AM • Like • Profile

Great capture, your patience paid off!

A Comment by Lucy

Your avatar
Lucy • 04/04/2019 at 09:16AM • Like • Profile

Great shot! and thoroughly enjoyed the story that goes with it!

Words

Posted by MFish • Profile • 04/02/19 at 11:04PM • Poetry • See more by MFish

Words can be the most beautiful thing.
Their use, can make a heart sing,
But they can also cause, much pain
And a hurt, that will always remain.
Using words, should be about truth,
Not full of disdain, lying or uncouth.
Words, used in a sonnet, professing love
Is usually the best way, far and above,
Those utterances of hate and disdain,
When one hears a lie after lie refrain.
The changing of seasons, across Worlds wide
Describing the colors of Sunsets to remember,
Or the harshness of the month, December.
Only words can describe how we feel
Or what in life, is falsely surreal.
Words describe the beauty, that we see
And the feelings of love, that I have for thee.

Hunger impacts all of us | 360-435-1631

Snohomish, Skagit and Island County

Powered by Volunteers | 360-794-7959

About Viewing Your Interests

When logged in, you can easily explore your interests — including up to 5 of your favorite categories. Discover the posts that matter most to you, such as:

You can Preview an Example Feed. Login or Signup to make the Custom Feed your own.

×