I understand that someone makes a set of binoculars with a digital camera built in. It may actually be a monocular. I suspect it is not a high quality camera, but I don't know this.
I, too, love to see bald eagles. They have been returning to Missouri in recent years, thanks mostly to the efforts of the Missouri Department of Conservation and more enlightened public attitudes.
Pablo-- I actually purchased a set of binoculars with a digital camera built-in. The quality was just not high enough. I thought about mentioning in the post that we had intended to buy a Canon Rebel with a telephoto lens so I could indulge my passion for photographing birds, but we bought the water tank instead! In the long run, I know we made the right decision on that. And, I can work on perfecting my little digital camera through the binoculars trick.
You have seen bald eagles in Missouri? That is such great news.
wow! i don't think i've ever seen one live. to have three soaring in one photo! i guess the population is doing well again in the US.
Camera zoom on
Great picture. What a majestic and awesome creature the bald eagle is
BTW, have you looked at the poem I posted in your flower pictures comments?
Charles-- I checked the stats on bald eagles and came up with this site:
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/eagle...n/
mapofprs.html
I dont' think that those are great numbers, but way better than 1982.
Janeboatler-- What a beautiful poem. Love the line "That blood of heroes never dies."
It is good for all of us to remember those heroes today.
The bald eagle is a majestic and awesome creature. And to think, our national bird had to be placed on the Endangered Species list. That says so much about us, but the fact that its numbers are on the rise, says more. I think that everything that is good about our country comes from the efforts of the environmentally conscious, socially progressive, and ethically motivated.
Gorgeous photos, Rexroth's Daughter. The only photos in our albums of bald eagles were taken in your corner of the world, when we hiked out to the lighthouse at the end of Dungeness Spit. We even got a photo of an immature eagle perched on a dead tree. Not a good photo, alas.
I'm so in awe of your skill with the camera!
OMG! This is Port Townsend? I spent a night in Port Townsend last summer when L and I made a (much too brief) tour of the PNW.
Phantom Scribbler--Hey, thanks for the praise. I appreciate it. Here's a funny story: My first husband was a professional photographer and filmmaker. He had me convinced he was the only one in the family who could do such things. Ha. Dumped him and found my passion. Ha.
Pablo--Yup, This is Port Townsend. Wow, you were here last summer. How cool. Are you coming back? We just moved up here last summer from Santa Cruz, CA. We've never looked back.
Pretty cool, RD. You and the mister sure are a Renaissance power couple! I'm reading a book right now entitled "Your Life As Art." I would say this about sums you two up.
I don't blame you for "not looking back" but Santa Cruz misses you terribly.
I am impressed. How did you manage to keep the camera still? Were the binoculars on a tripod? I can't believe you did this freehand.
SMSS-- I should probably photograph our gnarly hands. Dirt under the cracked fingernails. Skin full of splinters from pulling weeds grown out of the redwood bark, and dry and chapped from all the hand-washing-- day after day after day. There's art there too, if you look really really hard 
Will there ever be enough of the restorative powers in my Mountain Ocean Skin Trip to soften these claws... err.. hands?
Thanks for your kind words. You know the only thing we miss about Santa Cruz? Our family and friends. We do have eagles, it's an interesting tradeoff.
Cervantes-- I did it freehand. I'm pretty obsessive about stuff like this. I will work and work to get the shot I want. It was difficult holding the binoculars straight while leveling the camera lens against the eye piece. I don't mind doing things the hard way, as long as I am happy with the results. I've been practicing out in the yard over the weekend-- taking photos of crows in the distant trees, or trying to get a very clear shot of the Goldfinches in the feeder. If I can get a shot of the Western Tanager that showed up the other day, I'll be content, until I figure out what shot I want after that.
Boy, I'd take eagles over my relatives and/or in-laws every day. Beautiful shots of the big birds.
Wow! I'll praise not only your photographic skills and persistence, but your presence of mind in actually taking the photos when you see the birds!
I forget I have a camera hanging around my neck at such times--expensive necklace.
Those are truly wonderful photos, RD.
I'm impressed! I love the way my photo turned out, but it's a trifle...impressionistic, and I assumed that's how every picture would end up. I look forward to seeing more!
RD, I think it's a great idea to take photos of your hands all cracked and worn! Really!
Cool. I'm going to have to try that technique some time!
Cliff swallow is cool too.
Yes, as Pablo points out, we do have eagles in Missouri. Not too far from St. Louis there is a spot where eagles nest (in Clarkesville) and there are other spots in Missouri where they can be seen. Quite a popular tourist attraction. My in-laws go all the time and have some good pics - I keep begging them to give me some so I can post them and they always tell me they will give me a few but they never do.
Rurality-- I'll be checking your blog to see what you come up with.
Afarensis-- I think you may have to go there and photograph them yourself. Do you have a camera with a real telephoto lens, or will you have to resort to tricks like this?
I have a cheap (35mm) camera I bought about 30 years ago. I'm surprised it still works and unfortunately it does not have a telephoto lens. Your are right though I'll just have to go take some for myself - sad thing is my kids have been out there with the grandparents dozens of times.
Oh, that perfect shot IS perfect. I try to take pictures of birds, but very rarely, do they turn out.
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