I finally got one. I was walking around my front yard and a neighbor was out with his binoculars, I heard him say Bald Eagle, but at first didn't register what he said. I turned and looked up, and there he was, sitting in a pine tree. I edged closer and was able to get four shots before some joggers scared him off.

Here he is:

[tpg2]

That's one proud bird!
Congrats on the nice shot!
Tom

[8540tomg]

Great capture.

Must have been a thrill for you.

Tom G

[charliezap]

Excellent capture Mar.There is supposed to be a pair of them in my area but I haven't spotted them yet.--charliezap

[photolady95]

Thanks Tom and Tom G and Charlie.

I was so excited I had to keep telling myself, hold it steady, don't screw this up, while I was hand holding the camera. Shoot, I'm still excited!!

[Colbyt]

That should be a thrill for any of us even if with have to use all 300mm. Congrats.

[BlueBubbleBoy]

Alright!! I'm excited for you, what a great find, and in your front yard too! I probably would have been so nervous to make sure I didn't screw up the shot the shake reduction probably would have even been worthless!
Very nicely captured and thanks for sharing.

[photolady95]

Thanks colby, I did use all 300mm.

Barry, thank you. I was afraid after he flew off that when I got back in the house I'd find blurry shots. I could feel myself shaking, thank goodness for shake reduction and my K-x.

Btw, the shutter speed on the camera was 1/640s, and there isn't an option for that when posting.

[Bob Harris]

Mar, what a wonderful capture, I would just love to see one that close in the wild. You got great focus and very crisp shot, I am a bit jealous I must admit. All I have seen so far this year in the Arizona desert are some doves and a couple of crows. Really enjoyed seeing this beautiful bird. Bob

[photolady95]

Thanks Bob. Usually I see these guys flying away from me. This is the first I've see around my house. We have some pretty tall pine trees around here.

[JeffJS]

In the Front Yard ?



Sorry PL but I officially hate you now (not really but I'm extremely jealous). I've never even seen one let alone had a chance at a photo. All I get around here are noisy blackbirds and various sky rats. I guess you could count the 'protected' Canadian Geese that crap all over the place in there too. No, and I mean NO birds of prey.

(damn pain in the butt joggers) Did you get one of him taking off?

[Rupert]

Great capture! You were fortunate, and took advantage of it splendidly!
Best Regards!

[photolady95]

Sorry PL but I officially hate you now (not really but I'm extremely jealous). I've never even seen one let alone had a chance at a photo. All I get around here are noisy blackbirds and various sky rats. I guess you could count the 'protected' Canadian Geese that crap all over the place in there too. No, and I mean NO birds of prey.
(damn pain in the butt joggers) Did you get one of him taking off?

Sorry Jeff...well, not really. I was lucky this one was here. Since I live not far from a major waterway, I figured I'd see more of these, but they usually don't come up in the neighborhood, too many people.
And no, I didn't get him in flight. Too tall pine trees and he flew toward the waterway.

Thanks Rupert, appreciate the compliments.

[Masochist77]

Wow - that is great, only time I saw one that close was at a zoo!

[photolady95]

Thanks Masochist.