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It was a great day of taking Eagle pictures at Lock and Dam 14 on the Mississippi River near LeClaire, IA (near Bettendorf and Davenport). This is undoubtedly one of the better places to photograph Eagles in the lower 48 states. People come from all over the country. I have been there the first week of March, the end of February, and this year the first week of January. This week was by far the best with the most Eagles. At one point I counted close to 50 either perching in trees (12 in one tree), flying over the dam or catching fish in the river. There were also about 70 photographers lined up shoulder to shoulder - lots of big lenses. This is an odd spot in the river because it isn't North-South, but turns to the Southwest. So it takes the sun a long time to get around to the best lighting position for taking photos of the flying birds. Generally, at this time of year, from about 1:00 PM until 3:30 PM is the best time. Earlier, there are a lot of shadows; later and the sun is below the trees on the West side of the river. However, to get a good parking spot and position for tripod set up you may want to get there earlier. Telephoto or long zoom lenses are a must for getting close-up pictures and a fast shutter speed to stop the action. Some photographers hand-held their cameras and others used a tripod. You need to be able to pan quickly as the birds are flying.
Watch the weather when planning your trip. It seems like the colder the better. If much of the river is frozen over the Eagles will concentrate below the dam. The best conditions are a bright sunny day with the wind coming from the West-Southwest or from the Southwest. The Eagles will fly in to the wind as they swoop down to grab a fish from the river and this will put them facing toward the sun or with the sun slightly to their right, and facing the right direction for photography from the viewing platform. At some times the action is very fast with several Eagles fishing at the same time. At other times you may sit for a long time with no action. Bring a stool or you'll be standing a long time.
I had a good day photographing Bald Eagles and got many shots that I liked. I especially liked the one below of the Eagle looking at the fish that he had just snared. You can see more Eagle pictures here.
Getting there: Take I-80 to the Le Claire, IA exit just before the bridge crosses the river to Illinois. It is exit 308. Go south on US Highway 67 (S. Cody Rd) for a couple of miles and turn left (East) in to a drive for the Lock and Dam 14. There is a large parking area below the lock next to the river and a long paved sidewalk for viewing and photography.
Watch the weather when planning your trip. It seems like the colder the better. If much of the river is frozen over the Eagles will concentrate below the dam. The best conditions are a bright sunny day with the wind coming from the West-Southwest or from the Southwest. The Eagles will fly in to the wind as they swoop down to grab a fish from the river and this will put them facing toward the sun or with the sun slightly to their right, and facing the right direction for photography from the viewing platform. At some times the action is very fast with several Eagles fishing at the same time. At other times you may sit for a long time with no action. Bring a stool or you'll be standing a long time.
I had a good day photographing Bald Eagles and got many shots that I liked. I especially liked the one below of the Eagle looking at the fish that he had just snared. You can see more Eagle pictures here.
Getting there: Take I-80 to the Le Claire, IA exit just before the bridge crosses the river to Illinois. It is exit 308. Go south on US Highway 67 (S. Cody Rd) for a couple of miles and turn left (East) in to a drive for the Lock and Dam 14. There is a large parking area below the lock next to the river and a long paved sidewalk for viewing and photography.
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