Pair of Eagles Fishing

I spend a lot of time watching and trying to get a good shot of these magnificent birds without much success. So advice and constuctive critiqueing is welcome. Thanks.

The image itself tells us that they had their beady eyes on you, all the while.

Obviously the image does not reveal the terain underfoot in terms of how much closer you can walk. My simplistic approach to a situation like this is to take a shot, take a step forward, take a shot and another step forward and so on..... you will reach a "break even" point when they will take off, but that will give you yet another image. Sometimes it is quite amazing how close the wildlife will let you get. You've probably tried this anyway.

You have good clarity of focus in this image with enough lighting to give sharpness in the eyes. I don't know how much of a crop you have done to create this presentation, but possibly a bit more off the top and some off the left (to the end of the twig) could increase the dynamics.... only a thought.

Good image..... well done.

Regards

Thanks for the advice, I will try your suggestions. I was as close as I could get. A fenced railway tracks, a steep ravine going down to a river prevented getting closer. You are probably right about them watching me. I tried to set up my tripod quietly behind my car, but they flew away. I managed to take a few hand held shots before I got out, this one was the clearest. I admire good bird photographers, it is a real skill.

Best wishes,

Linda

"Tripod? ..... Tripod?" Where was your bean bag?..... thrown on the car roof and away you go (smiles)... just a thought (but I wasn't there was I).

Thanks for your feedback on the terain...... it makes for easier understanding.

Regards

You are the second person to suggest a bean bag. I live out in the boonies and I have never seen one in our photo supply stores. I should get one. Thanks for reminding me.

Naturescapes sells a good bean bag. Beanbags are an excellent tool, especially since you can shoot from inside the car and the car acts as a blind to birds.  As you noted, shooting bird is kind of like fishing; there is a lot of waiting and watching for the right moment.  You could also consider an alternate crop excluding the half eagle. 

Very good - I am also thinking about the crop which was suggested.

A beautiful shot with very nice details, Linda!

With best regards,

Ruud.

Thank you all. I will definitely get a bean bag one way or the other. I am also going to try cropping out the eagle on the right. I hope you all have a good weekend. I am going to spend mine down by the river and see if I can get some good shots.

Linda,

  Wow...double wow...amazing capture with wonderful colors & lighting.  Thanks for sharing.  Take care, Patsy

Thank you! We have been blessed with incredible wild life here in Western Canada. Best wishes, Linda

I don't think the thumbnail does it justice, the detail in the larger view is far better. Great textures in the dead tree and the LH Eagle is captured really well, particularly for a hand held shot. But I guess the comments from the more experienced bird shooters are very valid and accurate, patience is the key. Very well done Linda!

Best Regards

Alf

Thank you. There are some very skilled bird photographers here on PN who inspire me to try to capture some of the birds that live near me. I know this is pretty crude but I am getting good advice and learning. Once in awhile I get a shot that isn't bad.

It's nice to hear from you.

Like Alf, I think the larger version provides a much better view.  These are such grand creatures that finding them perched in a skeletal tree with such a bleak background makes them stand out all the more.

Has to be seen large, the details are very nice ,as it is a nature photo and the partly hidden bird has  its eye and details, so  for  me it is nice as is, with the beauty of the tree trank. The shallow DOF adds to their color and beauty.

Linda,

I haven't been around PN much the last few months, and I can see in your gallery that I have certainly missed a great deal.

As I commented on one of your other photographs, "It looks as if you and the 100-400 are getting along very well."

Indeed! These photographs of the Bald Eagles in the wild are proof of that!

Yes, in my experience they are very "human aware," and will only allow you to get just "so close" within their range. Especially when one ventures out "a foot." Even when dressed in Camo, or in a Hide. They still know "you are there."

Due to the flooding this past Spring along the Missouri River, from the damns up river, and the water release, the Lewis & Clark Wildlife area that I frequented to get my few Bald Eagle shots has been closed until further notice it appears.

To gain access to the Wildlife area required travel through the Lewis & Clark Village, a residential area. Well, since the water has receded, only resident's have been allowed to enter. The entrance is currently monitored 24/7 by the County Sheriff's Dept. and the Missouri Highway Patrol, and the "Park & Wildlife" area has been closed.  I keep checking, and hopefully it will re-open sometime this Winter.

If, and when it does open, I'll be back watching (and hopefully attempting to photograph) these wonderful creatures. It's a good Winter area because the Oxbow Lake has two large "agitators" that keep the lake from completely freezing over and the Eagles can fish and feed both there and in the Missouri River which is not far away. I have heard from the "locals" that reside in the Village that there is about 20 pairs of Bald Eagles that stay year round. And I find it amazing that this is in the Northeastern corner of Kansas of all places! And only about 20 miles from my residence.

Back to your photographs, . . .

Understanding & experiencing the difficulties of photographing these creatures in the wild may possibly "sway" my opinion's of your photographs, but I think they are wonderful!

I find them challenging to get an exposure to show the details in their dark colored feathers while having the white colored head and tail feathers. Especially when focusing on the head, or, on the eye. Up the ISO enough to get faster shutter speeds, then you get too much noise etc., etc.. My post processing skills are not that great, so in my case I loose alot of details when using any of the noise reductions, and one can only "sharpen" so much.

Your sharpness, clarity, & exposure here are very good. As well as the DOF that presents a nice background that makes the Eagle stand out in the image. I don't know if I would crop much because I like the details of the main tree trunk too, and having the second Eagle visible and watching you also contributes to the overall composition.

If you haven't found a sand bag yet, you might have some luck at a Sporting Goods retailer that carries target shooting equipment and/or hunting supplies. I got mine at Cabela's, it's made by a company called Shooters Ridge. Its one of the smaller bags but is made up of three sections and can be arranged in several different configurations where the sections are attached when needed by a Velcro strap. On mine, I let two sections lay over the the car window/door and rest my lens on the third and larger section when shooting from the car. I mostly shoot from a tripod & ballhead, or hand-held with IS.

Although it appears satisfactory, have you taken many shots without the B+W UV Haze filter attached? I have the same filter, but seldom use it anymore. I think I get better end results from my 100-400 without it, just a thought to ponder.

Best wishes Linda, and thanks for sharing. I'm certain to be back more frequently!

Jim j.