Bald Eagle

Gallery: AvianPosted April 3, 2012129 views11 comments

This juvenile Bald Eagle was captured yesterday at the local refuge. He was first sighted flying up from the far side of a high berm that separates a slough next to the road and a lake. Eventually he appeared from the far side and landed atop the grassy berm. Unfortunately he was only about 35-40 ft away which was too close to get his entire body within frame so I settling with portrait shots. I was sure that starting the car to move my fixed lens farther back would have ended our "sitting." I am happy with the cropped portraits I was able to make, this is 40% of original. I cloned a single feather hanging from his beak, confirming it was lunch that had him on the far side of the berm.

Larger image available, thanks for stopping!

canon 7D
canon 600mm f4.L
F/8 +1 1/350 ISO 320
auto window beanbag lens rest, CS5, LR3, NIKs suite

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on April 3, 2012 at 10:08 AM

I really like your comp, Craig. It does look like maybe you lost just a tiny bit of sharpness from the crop, but you still have very good detail. The larger view especially shows the beauty of the image.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on April 3, 2012 at 10:31 AM

A real beauty, Craig - excellent detail, pose, and presentation.
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on April 3, 2012 at 10:48 AM

Very nice portrait. I like the looking back pose. Very good color and BG. Sharp enough for me, but I also think the head could use just a bit more. Thanks for sharing.

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on April 3, 2012 at 11:20 AM

Excellent clarity, colors, and details Craig, like the way you've framed this great portrait also.
I especially like that eye, so clear & tack sharp!

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

Comment posted by Rick Turner on April 3, 2012 at 12:18 PM

Great capture and story. No suggestions here.

Registered on February 18, 2012, 534 Posts, 2755 Comments

Comment posted by Walt Sterneman on April 3, 2012 at 3:19 PM

Good shot Craig. Interesting that it got so close. I like the pose.

Registered on March 24, 2010, 73 Posts, 1268 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on April 3, 2012 at 5:37 PM

Nice portrait! Some of our young 'uns are also pretty tame.

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on April 4, 2012 at 7:57 AM

Excellent portrait Craig-love the composition you chose. I think this guy was out and about when I was at the refuge-beautiful bird well seen and captured.

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

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on April 4, 2012 at 9:14 AM

sweet portrait, Craig. love the detail, dof and comp.

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on April 4, 2012 at 11:50 AM

Wonderful close up portrait and the image held up well for the crop, you have to look at the larger image to really appreciate the details, nice job in getting this.

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

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on April 6, 2012 at 7:44 AM

Great details, excellent portrait.

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments