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Eagle with Breakfast
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Eagle with Breakfast

by Matt Shellenberg

Gallery: AvianPosted February 7, 2017732 views9 comments
Haliaeetus leucocephalus

I found this Juvie Bald Eagle feeding on a dead goose that was frozen in the ice along the Mississippi river. This turned out to be a very expensive image, I was kneeling down on a rip rap rock covered bank trying to get a low angle and I twisted my knee getting up and tore my Medial Meniscus. I love the shot, but not sure it was worth knee surgery. 

1DX. 800mm f5.6L IS
1/1250, f11
ISO 400

Please view the larger image for detail. 

All comments and critique are very appreciated.
Thank you.

Comments

9 comments
Comment posted by Jefferson Silva on February 8, 2017 at 3:37 AM
Sorry to hear about your knee, Matt. I hope you're ok now.

The image is great, really impressive see the goose eye.
I would be tempted to remove that white spot on the top right corner.
Registered on December 18, 2012, 162 Posts, 975 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on February 8, 2017 at 1:36 PM
Sorry to hear about the knee, Matt.  A difficult shot to try to frame, but this looks like a good compromise.  I love the low angle.  I think I agree with Jefferson about the whit blob and might even try to do something about the whole streak across that part of the frame.  Our internet is running at 1980's speed today, so I'm afraid I can't comment on the larger image. 

devil
Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments
Comment posted by Steve Thompson on February 8, 2017 at 2:41 PM
I would love to have run across this scene Matt. It's too bad about the knee though. I hope that comes out ok! I agree with removing the oof white area top right. Very dramatic image with great detail. Take care of that knee!  wink
Registered on August 7, 2014, 125 Posts, 2319 Comments
Comment posted by Paula LeVay on February 8, 2017 at 8:07 PM
Matt, I really like your Bald Eagle shot. The intact goose carcass makes a big visual impact and as do the feathers hanging from the Eagle's bill.  Very nice.  
Registered on July 29, 2016, 66 Posts, 270 Comments
Comment posted by Jerry Austin on February 8, 2017 at 9:42 PM
It is a great image, but probably not worth the price you paid. I know how you feel. I broke my leg while on a photography expedition in Yellowstone last year. 
Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments
Comment posted by Barbara Graham on February 9, 2017 at 3:10 PM
Matt, I hope your knee gets better quickly.  Wonderful detail and beautiful light in the larger image. 
Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments
Comment posted by Marc Dubuc on February 9, 2017 at 11:37 PM
Great image, very impressive.
Congrats!
Registered on January 4, 2011, 59 Posts, 229 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Watkins on February 10, 2017 at 1:52 AM
It seems that we have had a bad couple of years for knee injuries, I did mine in the Serengeti, kneeling on the floor to get some Cheetah shots!
This is great, I agree on trying to make the white spot disappear
Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments
Comment posted by Nate Chappell on February 10, 2017 at 3:45 PM
Fantastic image Matt, if you were going to pay the price to get injured getting a shot, this is certainly almost worth it.  Love that the goose is completely flat and we have a good look at it's head. devil
Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments