Has anyone photographed the Farmington Bay, UT Eagles?

I'm driving up to Farmington Bay, UT on February 13th to photograph the eagles that winter there. Since I've never been there before, I was wondering if any of you could give me some tips on good places to shoot, etc. Plus any other places close by that might be of interest for landscape or wildlife photography. Thanks

I was there a long time ago and had no success, but didn't spend enough time either. It's a small area - the road is ~ 2 miles long. The freshwater "bay" attracts a lot of eagles that were quite skittish back then. In addition to your longest lens, I'd recommend a window mount to use your car as a blind... you probably have the whole shebang. Good luck.

I have no experience with the eagles, but here's a few ideas. You'll have to drive a little though. Black Rock, Exit 104 on I-80 and take the frontage west and take the left spur at the marina unitl it deadends. Horeshoe Springs, Exit 77 o I-80 and go 5 miles south and there is a sign. Snow Geese down by Delta at a place called Clear Lakes, this is a bit of a drive, about 100 miles from SLC. Good luck.

@ Dave. Thanks for the tips. Sometimes just going to a place with no expectations gives me the best pictures. It's like your first time for anything usually not perfect but very memorable! Just being in nature for 3-4 days is usually enough to make me happy. I don't have the whole shebang... in fact the longest I have right now is the Nikkor 80-400mm F.4-5.6 VR lens, but actually looking to buy some big glass before I go. I've been looking at the Nikkor 400mm F2.8 with the 2x Teleconverter. I have the means to do it but its like buying your first car...really nerve-wracking!
@Jeff.Thanks for the tips on the places. Are these places for landscape or wildlife or both? Can I access them with my toyota corolla?
Thank you both for your suggestions.

Black Rock is on the shore of the Great Salt Lake and good for sunrise or sunset. About the only wildlife may be some seagulls. Horseshoe Springs, good for sunrise or sunset, not really a wildlife locale. If it's cold the steam form the springs sometimes puts a nice frost on the surrounding vegetation. Clear Lakes, wildlife, in mid february there should be tons of snow geese and possibly a few hunters. Your corolla should be fine, cars have made it to all three. Hope this helps.

Jeff ...Thanks so much for the great info. Which if you chose one, which would be your favorite? Do you have any pics? Clear Lakes sounds great but the hunters... agggh. Can't stand the sound of a gun going off an knowing something might have been killed. I'm a vegetarian. Do I need to wear orange? Thanks so much for your time and tips. Blessings, Deb

Debbie, I'm not familiar with the location, but am experienced with photographing Bald Eagles in both near and far distance situations. If the eagles are over 100 yards away which is typical for the lower 48 states you will want at least a 500 + 1.4x to be able to see their eyes well in your photo. A 400/2.8 plus a 2x TC is not a good combination for quality photographing anything other than making a documentary type photo. The 2x will get you closer but at a cost of resolution. That said I do own a 2x and have used it on occasion but I have yet to print or sell usage rights to any photo made with that combination. Not only are you decreasing resolution with it, but in the case of distant subjects you also have a drop in resolution from the amount of atmosphere between you and your subject. I would recommend first trying various lenses (400/2.8, 500/4, and 600/4) with a max of 1.4xTC attached. You can rent them or try to do a photo trip with someone who has one or more of those lenses so you can try the lenses alongside the person or persons who own them. I regularly allow friends and acquaintances to attach their camera to my Canon 500/4 and 600/4 if they are alongside me when shooting slows down. I even let a complete stranger in Costa Rica attach his Canon xti to my 500/4 to get a few frames of some bats attached to a tree trunk I was photographing when he walked by with some family members. Don't be afraid to ask!
One other point, the 400/2.8 weighs about the same as a 600/4, it is not fun to wrestle with it without a full size Wimberly on a stout tripod; that is why I also have a 500/4, substantially lighter and easier to manage when traveling by plane. About the only people who regularly use a 400/2.8 are sports photographers, where that focal length is just about perfect along the sidelines of football and baseball fields. If you have any more questions regarding the various choices feel free to ask. My recommendation for people who want to buy a super telephoto is a 500/4, it's plenty long for most subjects and the ease of handling makes using it enjoyable.

Thank you Don for your great information. I haven't purchased the lens combo yet. I did rent a 300mm f2.8 with the 2x and it seemed to fair pretty well, but I wanted a little more reach. I will look into the combo you suggested. It's a huge investment, so I certainly want to get something that I will be happy with. I want beautiful bokeh with super sharp details on the bird or other animal. I'm particularly interested in birds. I looked at your photos and they are beautiful and it looks like you've got the expertise to back all your claims. I look forward to looking at your phots more leisurely. Thanks again....you saved me from a headache!

Don nailed it - I have an old 600 f4 that I sometimes use with a 1.4x and it's super sharp, but weighs 14 lbs. I sold my 2x for the reasons Don described. It's really hard to get sharp images with that much magnification + the elements. Most people buying big glass these days seem to be going with the 500 f4. It's much lighter than a 600 or a 400 f2.8, and is a great match with a 1.4x. They're light enough to use a sidekick instead of a dedicated Wimberly or King Cobra. There's nothing wrong with the 80-400 - I own one and like it for environmental wildlife shots. All you need is one cooperative bird, right?

Thanks Dave for your input! So true...cooperation is key. If only I could talk bird-talk and ask them to hold that pose I have some more questions for anyone out there with any big lens experience. I was looking at BH Photo's prices cause I have purchased from them forever and the imported lenses are considerably less, but I have never bought anything imported. On a lens this costly, I am considering it...any thoughts? I will be purchasing a 5 year protection plan. Also, wondering if the Wimberly head will fit on any sturdy tripod. I have the Manfrotto wilderness 3221WN. Thanks!

I agree with both Don and Dave. My choice would be a 500 f4 and I would spend the extra 4-5 hundred and not purchase the imported lens. I also sold my 600 and purchased the 500 for the same reasons Dave stated. I use a King cobra head from Kirk Enterprises and have had it for years with no regret. I also have a Gitzo and Feisol tripod. for the money I prefer the Feisol. Whatever tripod you purchase make sure its strong enough to hold your gear.