Carson Valley, Dec 20, 2023 – Capturing that perfect photograph of a Bald Eagle in the Carson Valley has long been a bucket list item for me. This is a funny bucket list item because I do not have excellent camera equipment or time to just sit and wait for the perfect image.
Over the years of traveling Highway 88 and 395 on my various escapades into the mountains, I have captured a few blurry shots in a snowstorm or along the roadside or shots just a bit too far away to be considered good.
In Lake Tahoe I have captured a few shots that would be good but were still a little off. At Lake Davis in Northern California, the nesting pair of Bald eagles along the shoreline is out of reach for my camera to do justice to the beauty of that location.
However, this past year, I upgraded my cell phone to the Galaxy S23 Ultra, which has a spectacular 30x and 100x zoom capability that I have found helpful in shooting shots of the moon and far away mountain tops in the Sierra. So today, when I discovered a Bald eagle near my home while walking our Dog, I got an angle to try out my Camera Phone, of all things, to capture what I consider my best Eagle shots in my 15 years in the Carson Valley.
If you are unaware, the Bald Eagle, each year, comes from high in the Sierra and mountain terrains in the west to the Carson Valley for Calving season at our local ranches. This rare event is quite special and draws hundreds of photographers and birders to the region for the opportunity to capture these marvelous creatures with their cameras.
The Carson Valley of course, also has a celebratory event each February called Eagles & Ag, (Feb 8th – 11th in 2024) that provides a great way to experience life on the ranch and see these birds and other raptors, including the more native Golden eagle as they store up nutrients for the long winter season. It is a great time to come visit and experience the area, and for those who travel a great distance, the Carson Valley’s proximity to Heavenly Ski Resort helps them make a great winter vacation while seeing the birds.
For me, I’ll keep trying to capture more of these beautiful birds. Maybe I’ll have the camera and eyes to catch the flight or take off of the eagles a little better, but for today, I celebrate the blessing of being able to stand yards away and take these beautiful shots in the place I call home.
Eagles & Ag 2024: February 8th thorugh February 11th
Eagles & Ag 2024 Schedule
Tours & Event Details:
Thursday, February 8th – Opening Reception & Photography Exhibit: $30 per person – From 5:30 – 7:30pm Help us kick off the weekend back at the Minden CVIC Hall. The event features the work of area wildlife photographers and there is an expected visit from several falconers and their birds for up close viewing. Have a glass of wine and an hors d’oeuvres or two while you meet fellow enthusiasts.
Friday, February 9th – Wetlands Tour: $95 per person – Tour time is 8:00am-11:00am (Attendees need to arrive at 7:30am for check-in). There are a number of beautiful wetland treasures in the Carson Valley featuring large numbers of waterfowl and migrant birds. We’ll visit a few great spots with hopes of catching some of these unique birds. A short hike on level ground is part of this tour. As in all the tours, spotting scopes, binoculars and/or cameras are recommended.
Friday, February 9th – Guided Tour of Local Barns: $95 per person– Tour time is 1:30pm to 4:30pm. A bus tour where guides with local history will take you to a few magnificent barns int he Carson Valley to see inside an outside of timber framing and weathered wood.
Friday, February 9th – Eagles & Agriculture Falconers’ Dinner: $85 per person – From 5:30pm to 8:30pm. We’re finalizing our Ag speaker and a number of area falconers and their birds are scheduled to join us as well. Of course, the great dinner provided by local caterers doesn’t hurt, and there’s exhibits from Carson Valley Photo Club for attendees along with a raffle. This event will be hosted at the Carson Valley Inn in Minden
Saturday, February 10th – Eagle/Ranch Tour: $95 per person – Tour time is approximately 8:00am to 11:30am (Attendees need to arrive at 7:30am for check-in). The pinnacle of the Eagles and Ag weekend, participants of this tour will enjoy a private “behind the scenes” look at area ranches. Learn about Carson Valley ranching, conservation and have an opportunity to view/photograph eagles, hawks, owls and other birds of prey. Eagle/Ranch Tour leaves from the Carson Valley Inn.
Saturday, February 10th – Owl Prowl & Historic Barn Tour: $95 per person – Tour time is 1:00pm to Dusk (Attendees need to arrive at 12:30pm for check-in). Visit historic barns on area ranches and view owl habitat. Weather permitting, one of our local falconers will provide a demonstration of the sport of falconry. Owl Prowl & Historic Barn Tour leaves from the Carson Valley Inn.
Saturday, January 28 & Sunday, January 29 – Photo Workshop: $125 per person Saturday evening classroom seminar taught by long time Northern Nevada instructor Craig Moore from 6:00pm to 9:00pm; Sunday from 7:00 to 10:00 AM you will be outdoors in the Carson
Valley to photograph area wildlife/scenery under the tutelage of Carson Valley wildlife photographer Kim Steed. The workshop will be held at Carson Valley Museum on Saturday evening and the group will be going to the field on Sunday morning, also leaving from the Carson Valley Museum
Sunday, February 11th – Raptor Highway and Byway Tour: $95 per person – Tour time is 8:00am -11:30am (Attendees need to arrive at 7:30am for check-in). Normally on Friday afternoon, this tour has been moved to Sunday morning this year to take advantage of better lighting for photography, more raptor opportunities and less traffic congestion. This promises to be s special Sunday drive around the Carson Valley with great photography and local lore. Supplemental tour for those interested in the Buteos, Accipiters, Falcons and other birds which commonly winter in Carson Valley. As in all the tours, spotting scopes, binoculars and/or cameras are recommended.