Thursday, May 14, 2009

Hannibal's Challenge - Personal Best

Hannibal at Hannibal's Animals recently challenged us to post our personal best bird photos. She always has wonderful photos but recently named these PHOTOS her personal best.

Now for mine. It was hard for me to choose - I still feel I haven't gotten my personal best but am hoping to with the Loons this year. But here are two (since I could decide!)


I had to resize this eagle photo for this blog post so it's a little off but here it is! This was exciting for me because it was the first time I had seen a Bald Eagle. A local fellow collected roadkill deer carcasses to throw in the field for the Eagles to help them with a meal in the winter. My photo was published in the local paper (I was thrilled!)




And this Loon photo many of you already have seen before. I love it for the reason you usually see Loons in the water and it's hard to catch them flying around. This guy was flying around the lake giving his territorial call to let the loons know that this was HIS lake.


So, what's your personal best?!!

30 comments:

Montanagirl said...

These are both good, but I LOVE the shot of the Eagle. So sharp, and just a great picture. Good job!

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

Yahoo Shelley! Those are fabulous!

Did you notice the eagle is banded? I think you can see most of the number too.

The Birdlady said...

amazing! both of them.

Anonymous said...

I especially love the second photo maybe because I haven't seen the loon before. They are both fabulous photographs. It would be hard to choose a favorite you have so many pretty ones.

Anonymous said...

The eagle shot is very clear. It even looks like he has a band on his "ankle". At first, while I was waiting for the photo to load, I thought it was a painting! It is wonderful!

Don't you feel so very privelaged when you can get a shot like that? I know how excited I was with my series of eagle shots this winter; the shots weren't that great but just being able to witness that event was enough for me!

Patsy said...

I think the Eagle.
Patsy

Peggy said...

Hi

Thanks for your "Personal Best"! It's a GREAT (and very crisp) shot of the eagle, and...it's banded! Bonus!

Sorry it took me so long to comment. I'm on vacation and am on "dial up" which makes it stupidly slow!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Both of them are incredible, Shelley. I couldn't choose one of them---so I guess it's a tie!!! They can both be your personal best ones!!!
Hugs,
Betsy

Ms. ~K said...

You never cease to amaze me...
I saw my first bald eagle in Alaska and honestly almost wet my pants...
Beautiful shots!
Kit

Coy Hill said...

Excellent shots Shelley, both shots to be proud of!

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Both photos are definetly worthy of the title Personal Best.
Blessings,Ruth

Eve said...

Very nice Shelley. Both are wonderful. I, too, am supposed to get my personal best but for the life of me can't think of one...I doubt it's of a bird!!!! I will have to look more.

Dorothy said...

Both are great, but really, any of your pictures could be your personal best!!!

Kelly said...

...those ARE awesome photos. Love that eagle...and the loon!

holdingmoments said...

Two great shots Shelley, but the Eagle for me. A stunner!

Rural Rambler said...

Two beautiful captures! The eagle is always a great thrill to see. The loon in flight is special too.
Congrats on the published photo!

Michaela said...

I love both! In fact, I love all your pictures! The Eagle of course, is my favorite because they are so majestic. He is a beauty and you got a perfect shot of him! Something to be proud of.
:))

Tina said...

Shelley,
Great shots..love the loon shot and can't wait to see more of your loon captures.
That eagle picture has always been captivating to me..excellent photo and I can see why your newspaper would want to publish that!! Eagles are always so amazing to see!

Jen said...

They'er both super.
The Loon sure looks differnet in flight than when it's on the lake,

Kim said...

Love both shots Shelley! The egale picture is supreme!

Chris said...

Hi Shelley,
Are you not cheating a bit :-) I think we were supposed to present only one :-)
Really no wonder why this eagle shot was published in a local paper. It is a wordless shot, mouth opened, jaws on the floor!!! I would cry to get one like that. Gorgeous!!!
Have a nice week end.

Ginnymo said...

What beautiful shots you got of those birds!! I love both of them so much!! But the Eagle is fantastic!! I want to see one someday..

Deb said...

Both photos are amazing Shelley!

Matt Latham said...

Stunning Bald Eagle image

Willard said...

I can see why you picked these. If I had video of the eagle landing on the carcass, feeding, and then flying away, I would consider it a video clip of a lifetime. It is unusual to get them so close(at least in our area and I assume Michigan is the same), unless one lives in one of the eagle hotspots and of course it is always great to capture an excellent photo of a bird in flight such as the loon.

Jenny said...

That Eagle is a stonker! but I can see why you love the Loon shot too.

Kathie Brown said...

Both beautiful!

The Retired One said...

I think that the eagle is my favorite shot of yours...but I love them all.
I could never choose which of mine I like most. Probably the next one...

Dawn Fine said...

Great shots Shelley! terrific!

Connie said...

These are both great, Shelley, but then I think all of your bird photos are amazing! I don't know how you narrowed it to just two. :D