Bald eagle over ice

Gallery: AvianPosted January 18, 2011227 views32 comments

Been scratching out a few nice images given the very poor light conditions here in Utah. This eagle was walking around on the ice apparently looking for scraps of fish to eat. It kept falling into holes in the ice. I think it finally decided it had enough of the cold soakings and flew. I like the angle and the bird's plumage pattern.

Canon 1DM4
500mm f/4 and 1.4x TC
ISO 1000
1/1250s
f/6.3
Manual Exp.
Hand held
46% of FF
No NR

Comments

32 comments

Comment posted by Dan Moore on January 18, 2011 at 9:14 AM

What a great time you folks must have had or are having.
I like this one for the same reasons you do.On my monitor there seems to be something going on it the tail feathers -perhaps just the light problems you mentioned. Great low angle you caught here and the DOF is super. Always a pleasure to see your postings.

Dan

Registered on February 11, 2010, 143 Posts, 1248 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 18, 2011 at 9:26 AM

Dan, I am pretty sure what you are seeing with the tail feathers has to do with the fact that they are wet and maybe even a bit icy. This bird was literally soaked from falling into the water a few times.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on January 18, 2011 at 9:29 AM

Ron,

Love the wing position, light in the eye despite the bird facing away from the light and the icy background. Because this eagle kept falling into holes in the ice some of the feathers were soaked on the tail and breast, I think that adds to the image. I love seeing the various stages of juvenile eagle's plumage. Really nice details especially given the poor light we had.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on January 18, 2011 at 9:41 AM

You been scratching out very well Ron

I too like the birds plumage patterns, well done especially so under the conditions you describe

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Moore on January 18, 2011 at 10:07 AM

Thanks Ron for kindly pointing out what I should have figured out myself. You are a gentleman. I failed to note on the last comment that I love the BG here. There is just enough variation to let the viewer know the environment.

Dan

Registered on February 11, 2010, 143 Posts, 1248 Comments

Comment posted by dan elster on January 18, 2011 at 10:13 AM

The bird is perfectly placed in the frame and the wing position is great too. Razor sharp.

Registered on September 23, 2005, 299 Posts, 2443 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on January 18, 2011 at 10:38 AM

Fantastic shot Ron! Love It.

Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments

Comment posted by Ralph Kerr on January 18, 2011 at 11:48 AM

Great photo of this immature, Ron. In addition to all the comments about the tail feathers, I'll add that they often drag the tail feathers in the water as they catch a fish from the water, which could also contribute to the wet look.

Registered on January 30, 2007, 369 Posts, 852 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on January 18, 2011 at 11:55 AM

Very nice. Wish I'd taken this.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on January 18, 2011 at 1:00 PM

Nice capture of this juvie Ron. I thnk the plumage pattern is cool as well.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by David Schoen on January 18, 2011 at 1:15 PM

You've done very well here to get the gradations of color in the feathers in the wings and body. Would like to see a tad more contrast around the eye. Overall an excellent shot of a wet juvie.

Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on January 18, 2011 at 2:46 PM

Very nice flight shot for hand held. I like the plumage color/variation and how the bird stands out from the background, way to go.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Darren Colello on January 18, 2011 at 3:12 PM

Ron, very well done here. The wing position is grand. Nice work!!!

Registered on July 27, 2009, 175 Posts, 1100 Comments

Comment posted by Fabio Giarrizzo on January 18, 2011 at 4:21 PM

Beautiful flight shot- perfect pose, details and exposure- great skill- Bravo, Fabio

Registered on December 3, 2010, 90 Posts, 1614 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on January 18, 2011 at 4:40 PM

Ron,
I love everything here. The angle, the dynamism, the detail are super. I expect this eagle beats the wings suddenly. Great work!

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by wade pettitt on January 18, 2011 at 5:41 PM

Whoo Hoo. I love this shot ron, you nailed the focus and perfect wing position IMO. Well done!!

Registered on May 6, 2009, 184 Posts, 471 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on January 18, 2011 at 6:50 PM

A really nice BIF image of this immature BE Ron. The larger image shows great detail and you nailed the exposure.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on January 18, 2011 at 6:51 PM

I am enjoying the composition and his full extension. Nice.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Eric Diller on January 18, 2011 at 7:21 PM

always nice to see an Eagle at a different stage....well captured Ron.

Registered on October 2, 2009, 69 Posts, 434 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on January 18, 2011 at 8:00 PM

This simply couldn't be any better in the conditions we had Ron. I really like the wing position and the subtleties of the ice in the background. Detail looks good and I like the slight head turn toward us. Very well done.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on January 18, 2011 at 10:19 PM

excellent, Ron. great angle and wing position. the immies don't get much attention compared to the adults, but I love the variations in their plumage. looks like you're doing pretty well given the challenges, but somehow that does not surprise me.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on January 18, 2011 at 10:28 PM

Excellent look at this juvie, Ron. It stands out really well against that ice background. Nice wing position and I like that slight head turn. Overall great image.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments

Comment posted by Marc Dubuc on January 18, 2011 at 10:29 PM

Excellent image. I agree with the previous comments.

Registered on January 4, 2011, 59 Posts, 229 Comments

Comment posted by Marc Dubuc on January 18, 2011 at 10:37 PM

Excellent image. I agree with the previous comments.

Registered on January 4, 2011, 59 Posts, 229 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on January 18, 2011 at 10:50 PM

Excellent, Ron. Beautiful detail and I love the subdued shadings int he bg.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by David Williams on January 18, 2011 at 11:29 PM

Beautiful capture, Ron.....very sharp in the large version. Glad to see you are able to get out to the West for some action. Well done, and I bet you have had a great time with Ron.

Registered on March 8, 2005, 315 Posts, 2291 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on January 18, 2011 at 11:46 PM

Excellent - especially the wing position, eye contact and plumage detail you've capture. I like the background too.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Graham Brown on January 19, 2011 at 6:41 AM

You've really got that camera working well Ron. Really beautiful sharp detail throughout. I wish I could use iso1000. Graham

Registered on November 20, 2007, 275 Posts, 1365 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Harbour on January 19, 2011 at 10:29 AM

Beautiful flight pose, great detail, magnificent subject.

Registered on January 4, 2008, 113 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Geoffrey Baker on January 19, 2011 at 1:47 PM

A great capture Ron, what a beautiful bird.
Well done.

Geoff.

Registered on August 20, 2010, 192 Posts, 980 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on January 19, 2011 at 6:17 PM

Excellent Ron - great detail and a good job on the exposure.

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on January 22, 2011 at 12:30 PM

Great image of a magnificent bird. To bad about the lighting-but it certainly does not appear to have affected your images.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments