Photography by Ed Guarente

03/13/2026

On March 21st I’ll be talking about photographing the beauty of frozen Onondaga Lake this winter — also known as the fine art of standing on a windy shoreline at 10° with 30-mph winds in our faces, waiting for an eagle to fly by.
I’ll be sharing some images and stories from this past winter on the lake, along with a few tips, tricks, and some of my personal exposure theories for working in snow, ice, and bright winter light.
Frozen fingers were definitely part of the process… but the eagles made it worth it. If you’ve ever wondered how we manage to photograph out there in those conditions — or why we keep going back — I’ll be happy to share a few of my editing secrets as well

Audubon events are great ways to meet people and help birds and the places they need. Register today.

02/27/2026

Early morning sun (finally). 20 degrees… basically a heat wave. About 30 photographers packed into one tiny stretch of shoreline. And yes… the lake is frozen. Again. Not much action — the ice had other plans — but a few fly-bys made it worth the frozen fingers. Standing there, watching these 3 eagles (one adult and 2 juvies, the top guy has the food, I couldn’t help but wonder… whose hungriest! Onondaga Lake 02-27-2026

02/27/2026

Big shoutout to my e-friend Joe Fratianni and his elite conservation unit — The Fish Assistance and Rescue Team (F.A.R.T.) — proudly serving the fine fish of Onondaga Lake.
Today’s featured team member showed exceptional restraint and professionalism. After careful inspection of a “half-deleted” fish carcass resting on the frozen lake, he wisely determined… this one was beyond rescue.
Sometimes protecting the fish means knowing when to let nature handle the paperwork.
Good job, Joe. Your team’s dedication does not go unnoticed.
Onondaga Lake

02/26/2026

Onondaga Lake 02-06-2026 8:45 am ish
This juvie came in like a bullet, chasing an adult with breakfast who landed in a tree just ahead of this mornings photo crew.
He posed for about five minutes — maybe hoping for a handout — then took off to find his own meal.
Joining the breakfast scene: countless crows, a red-tailed hawk, and a Great Blue Heron.
When food shows up at the lake… everybody gets the memo.
ps Was really about 50ft away from us!

02/26/2026

This morning over Onondaga Lake , 02-26-2026, they moved as if choreographed by something older than the snow falling around them. Not racing. Not competing. Just flying… together. Onondaga Lake never disappoints — if we’re willing to look up

02/25/2026

ZOMBIEAGLES
I’m pretty sure this isn’t normal posture.
He was upright.
Wings locked behind him.
Balanced on his tail like a frozen pogo stick.
The ducks left immediately. The competition filed paperwork elsewhere. I half expected him to mumble “braaaains”…
Onondaga Lake
February 15, 2026
And no… this wasn’t Photoshop. He actually did this.

02/24/2026

With a gizzard shad tucked safely away for the quick flight back to home base, this eagle cruised past a few of us on the ground with barely a “hello.”
Onondaga Lake – Early Morning 02.06.2026

02/24/2026

From Onondaga Lake — 02-22-2026
“I’m a tad tired of the snow,” the eagle said to me.
I told him (subconsciously, of course) that I agreed.
But before we call it quits on winter, I wanted to make this moment a little more pronounced. After my normal edits — no A.I. — I gently darkened the original sky in Photoshop, just enough to let the light fall where it mattered most.
Sometimes highlighting a friend just takes a subtle touch.🙂

02/23/2026

It’s amazing how 35° can feel downright tropical—
until you reach the end of the lake and the wind hits you head-on like a frozen freight train.
Totally worth it. (I think.)
Onondaga Lake 02-22-2026

02/22/2026

That “stink eye” wasn’t for the camera.
The eagle was locked in on a little dachshund being walked just below him — about 20 feet down and completely unaware. I’ve seen that look before… and I knew what might be coming.
So I stepped out of the car and walked toward them.
That’s when he turned that glare on me… and took off.
The woman never had a clue.
Sometimes the photo isn’t the whole story.
Onondaga Lake – Inner Harbor 02-22-2026

02/21/2026

“Okay… nobody panic. If we all look adorable enough, maybe he’ll just take a picture instead.”
Onondaga Lake 02-16-2026