Contortionist

Gallery: AvianPosted November 1, 2011268 views8 comments

Taken this past weekend at Chilkat. Lighting was very poor this day. My first time to ever go as high as ISO 6400. Larger version uploaded as well.

D7000, 200-400vr, 1.4xTC, Bushhawk/monopod
1/1000 f5.6 ISO6400
NR with NeatImage, selective sharpening

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on November 1, 2011 at 9:11 AM

Great detail in the feathers and a very unusual position. Are there two eagles, facing in opposite directions? Looks like they are wrapped around each other for warmth. Background pleasing as well.

Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on November 1, 2011 at 9:34 AM

You managed to get detail in the shadows and highlights, which I have found to be a challenge with mature bald eagles. The noise is evident, but less than I would expect at 6400! Some what of an unusual but interesting pose. TFS.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on November 1, 2011 at 10:35 AM

Interesting image Dan. Lots of nice feather detail. ISO 6400 - wow!!
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Frye on November 1, 2011 at 4:16 PM

Love that pose and good to see the detail in the darks and whites -- I'm think noise reduction on the background might improve this shot -- but very dramatic as presented

Registered on February 3, 2007, 387 Posts, 1136 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Roberts on November 1, 2011 at 7:14 PM

Thanks for the comments. The poor light is a good news bad news scenario. Bad news is high ISO, noise, and required WB tuning. Good news is that it is very flat dynamic range so you can retain detail across the spectrum.

This was a really odd pose. The bird was looking back across its back at me. It ruffled its feathers and shook itself while keeping its eyes on me. Only lasted a couple of seconds. I liked the image due to all of the detail with the feathers ruffled up.

Registered on March 9, 2011, 69 Posts, 501 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on November 1, 2011 at 7:23 PM

Neat pose Dan and I really like the plumage patterns and textures. Noise is quite evident however.

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

Comment posted by Eric Diller on November 3, 2011 at 6:10 PM

Nice pose indeed! I agree with the noise comment too. For my taste I would warm up the Eagle a bit, I see a slight blue color cast on whites and one the wing near the head.

Regal shoot!!

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on January 15, 2012 at 8:04 AM

Love the birds pose here Dan, looks like it has itself all up in a bunch

You've captured the classic intense look of the the eagle famously, great job of getting this one under these poor lighting conditions, well done!

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