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Bald Eagle
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Bald Eagle

by Ron Dudley

Gallery: AvianPosted May 22, 2011249 views15 comments
I ran across this image this morning while preparing a blog post. I remember not posting it before because of the apparent blown eye but it has since grown on me. I've seen blown eyes in several owls before but this is the first I've seen in an eagle. The red on the bill is most likely fish blood.

7D, 1/1250, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, taken on 2/7/11 but can't remember if this was shot from a tripod or my pickup window, cropped to 64% of original image, exposure adjustment in ACR, sharpened bird, no further processing or adjustments, natural light, not set up or baited though there were dead fish in the area that had been killed by refuge personnel for management purposes, Wasatch Mtns in background

Larger version provided

Comments/critique appreciated

Comments

15 comments
Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on May 22, 2011 at 6:35 PM
Sweet shot Ron. Love the mtn BG. The position of the bird is super IMO. I love the detail in the head and the top lighting of the tail and head. Cool stuff.
Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Ditch on May 22, 2011 at 6:36 PM
Dramatic dark sky - awesome image!
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments
Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on May 22, 2011 at 7:53 PM
So much more majestic when in flight. Great shot, Ron.
Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments
Comment posted by Charles Gangas on May 22, 2011 at 9:50 PM
Super image Ron. I love the background and the detail is excellent.
Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments
Comment posted by Steve Balke on May 22, 2011 at 9:59 PM
This is a spectacular image, Ron. I've never previously heard of a "blown eye". It doesn't seem to be an image artifact.
Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments
Comment posted by Terry Sohl on May 22, 2011 at 10:07 PM
Dang, you don't post this because of a blown eye? Your standards are WAY above mine! This is terrific. Really nice detail in the plumage under the bird. :toast:
Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments
Comment posted by Robert Holguin on May 23, 2011 at 2:07 AM
Great flight pose and you did amazing on the exposure. Love the blood on the beak. Real nice detail as well. Well done.
Registered on January 25, 2011, 44 Posts, 294 Comments
Comment posted by Graham Brown on May 23, 2011 at 5:54 AM
An image with real impact Ron. Beautifully exposed to show lovely feather detail throughout. Love that background.Absolutely perfect. Graham
Registered on November 20, 2007, 275 Posts, 1365 Comments
Comment posted by Peter Conway on May 23, 2011 at 12:05 PM
I can't believe you posted this with that eye. :wink:

The BG makes the shot, wonderful mood, love the image.

Peter
Registered on June 25, 2007, 347 Posts, 3913 Comments
Comment posted by Fabio Giarrizzo on May 23, 2011 at 4:55 PM
Gorgeous picture- Awesome pose, great detail and magic BG on this- My best congrats, Fabio
Registered on December 3, 2010, 90 Posts, 1614 Comments
Comment posted by Rob Drummond on May 24, 2011 at 7:14 AM
Very striking image Ron - well done. I particularly like the moody, almost threatening, lighting

cheers
Rob
Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Hackley on May 24, 2011 at 5:07 PM
There is just something about eagles, good background and flight pose with feather detail on the larger version where you need it, nice job on the whites and the eye looks fine to me, way to go Ron.
Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments
Comment posted by S Govindarajan on May 24, 2011 at 10:19 PM
Very nice capture, Ron. The dark sky background really shows off this eagle. Great wingspread and I like the POV that shows the drawn in talons. Very sharp and top notch exposure as usual. :toast:
Registered on April 19, 2008, 115 Posts, 1921 Comments
Comment posted by David Sparks on May 24, 2011 at 10:20 PM
Dramatic image of a magnificent bird. The dark BG works surprisingly well with the dark body and wings of the eagle. Excellent detail in blacks and whites. :toast:
Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments
Comment posted by May Haga on May 26, 2011 at 6:35 PM
Very nice flight shot Ron. Excellent exposure showing the details of the feathers in the wings.
May
Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments