Doing the Shake

Gallery: AvianPosted September 25, 201314,344 views8 comments

I hope you all don't mind another bald eagle photo from the Hood Canal this spring. It was a very soggy morning, and this bird was resting on it's favorite perch. Shooting flight photos against the white sky and water didn't seem very appealing to me, so I stayed with this bird for a couple hours during the rain hoping for such an opportunity as the bird shook off the excessive wetness.

Canon MKIV, 600mm, 1/640, f8, ISO 800, manual settings with the use of the spot meter, nearly full frame

All your comments and suggestion are very much appreciated

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on September 25, 2013 at 8:17 PM

A fun shot to see, Ken. Love all the flying water and that nicely curved perch. The nictitating membrane is closed, as it should be with this behavior. A vertical presentation might have been a nice alternative but when you're this close and the situation changes like this you don't have a lot of wiggle room.

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

Comment posted by Martin Dunn on September 26, 2013 at 4:04 AM

As usual, patience paid off.
An interesting shot Ken,with plenty of interest. the components work well together and the shake, with the flying water droplets are nice.
For me though, it is a shame that there is not a bit more of the face showing

Registered on February 20, 2013, 198 Posts, 1011 Comments

Comment posted by John Jeevaratnam on September 26, 2013 at 8:03 AM

Nice capture Ken, I do like the freeze capture of the ruffled feathers and water. If I was to critique the shot...if you have a nearly full frame shot... I would perhaps zoom in to get the texture of the feathers and the head. Overall a nice composition and beautiful colors. Looks like the bird can use an umbrella

Registered on July 29, 2013, 112 Posts, 229 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on September 26, 2013 at 11:27 AM

Good choice to wait and see. Great moment captured. A tiny more close-up would probably enhance the effect - but already great as posted ! Greetings, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on September 26, 2013 at 2:55 PM

I'll just echo Ron's critique, except I would prefer a 4:5 crop.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on October 2, 2013 at 6:22 PM

Very cool shot Ken, love the shake and great exposure, I agree a vertical would have worked well but you probably didn't have time.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on October 4, 2013 at 11:27 AM

I like this very much. I love the fluffing/shaking action and all the flying water drops. Nice capture of this behavior. Your patience paid off.

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Andrews on November 27, 2013 at 10:47 AM

A great shot Ken, I like the composition and the contrast in colour between the eagle and the background. Shutter speed also worked well to capture both the flying water as well as motion which is evident in the head and breast feathers.

Registered on December 31, 2011, 45 Posts, 222 Comments