Eagle shot from Holtwood Dam Pa. with D300 and 200vr f/2

[dgberg]

Was at Holtwood Dam in southeaster Pa. this morning with my D300 and 200vr f/2 and attached 1.4tc.
Pa. has many eagles after near extinction for so long. It is difficult to get a really close shot.
This shot taken from between 80 and a 100 yards away and still had to crop a good bit to make it half decent. It still is not up to my standards but hey a  eagle shot in the wild in Pennsylvania is not an everyday occurence. I have been to Conawingo Dam a little further down the river and can never seem to get close enough to shoot anything worthwhile. I have seen them in New Holland,Pa. and Middlecreek Wildlife Management Area in Pa. so they are around.I left the 200-400 at home because I was so excited about getting the new 200 f/2 in the field. Where is the long lens when you need it most. We were just lucky to see one sitting this close.  For my first real time out with this lens an eagle was not a bad subject.

[wolfnowl]

For my first real time out with this lens an eagle was not a bad subject.

Not bad at all.  Thanks for sharing it!

Mike.

[Randy Carone]

Very nice!! At least he turned his head for ya. I see them once in a while down by New Hope, PA checking out the Delaware.

[Ken Bennett]

Nice frame. I am always disappointed with my pathetic attempts at bird photography, but it really requires a whole different arsenal than I normally own and use. (Not much call for a 600mm lens for people/photojournalism.)

[dgberg]

Ken,
I have always had the same issues especially wth mid range lenses. As my arsenal improves it still does not help if I do not have the right one with me at the time. As you say you just cannot carry 2 of these at one time. One reason I still rank my 200-400 at the top. With a 1.4tc attaced and a DX body it stretches pretty far. I would be the first to buy a 400-600 f/4.