Bald Eagle - Liftoff

Gallery: AvianPosted June 1, 20172,744 views11 comments

I captured this image on a recent trip to Yellowstone. The eagle had been sitting on the elk carcass in the pond. The beautiful warm yellow light was reflecting off the mountain peaks surrounding the lake. This light lasts for about 15 minutes at just the right time of the morning. Luckily, the eagle was there during this great light.

Canon 5D Mark IV
Canon 500mm f/4
1/1250 @ f/5.6
ISO 640
-1/3 EV from metered value

Larger version provided.

Thanks for your view and thoughts.

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on June 1, 2017 at 3:21 PM

That's pretty cool, Keith. From the thumbnail it almost looks like a gator laugh

. If I had one wish, it would be to have framed it with a hair more separation from the carcass.

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on June 1, 2017 at 6:05 PM

Thanks Bill: I have a whole series from this take off. Here's a link to my website to the next frame in the sequence... Wings up creates the separation. I liked the wings down shot to post here.

http://www.keithbauerphotography.com/Places/Yellowstone/i-mGRkzr2

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on June 1, 2017 at 6:42 PM

Beautiful light and a very nice moment, Keith. The balance feels just a tad off to me. Maybe a touch off the top and right?

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on June 1, 2017 at 7:08 PM

Just a spectacular image. Moody, powerful and beautiful. Where was this taken? Lamar Valley?

Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on June 1, 2017 at 8:19 PM

This is really nice, Keith. The warm tones are just awesome. I checked out the whole series.Great work.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on June 1, 2017 at 9:44 PM

My favorite shots are "critterscapes" that combine beautiful scenery with wildlife. This certainly qualifies for that category. Those of us familiar with bald eagle feeding behavior will appreciate this as a nice behavior shot, too. Not sure about casual wildlife viewers though. As I was looking at this, my daughter came to the door and was talking with my wife. I was so impressed with the image that I called them in to see it. Both had the same initial response "Wow, that's beautiful!" When they got closer, they were puzzled, but still liked the image. Then my daughter asked what was in the water. When I pointed out parts of the carcass, they both said exactly the same thing: "Eeeewwwwwwww!" The beauty drew them in, and the reality provided some education. I like that!

Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Minish on June 1, 2017 at 11:51 PM

A good shot of the takeoff, Keith. I love the golden water. The only thing I would suggest is maybe a little tighter crop to put the eagle further to the right of the frame.

Registered on February 4, 2006, 625 Posts, 3583 Comments

Comment posted by David Bogener on June 2, 2017 at 12:31 PM

Nicely composed image. The warm golden tones really enhance this image. Good timing on the takeoff to get the head clear and a nice wing position.

Registered on October 30, 2013, 417 Posts, 1255 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Williams on June 3, 2017 at 1:21 AM

Wow, beautiful light Keith. Great capture in a very interesting scene.

Registered on December 28, 2010, 636 Posts, 3499 Comments

Comment posted by Peter J. Morrissey on June 3, 2017 at 2:49 PM

Hi Keith
The gold coloring in the water and the wing's detail make the shot.
Peter

Registered on July 3, 2011, 188 Posts, 969 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on November 5, 2017 at 6:31 PM

Great shot, Keith. The wings down showing the liftoff works great and that warm glow on the water just could not have been better. Really nice capture!
Nick Bristol

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments