Eagle Drinking

Gallery: AvianPosted March 25, 20182,074 views3 comments

OK, I know this is not a very good image! It was blastingly bright, with the sun reflecting off the water and the snow and ice on this beach. I was looking somewhat towards the sun, and I couldn't really get anywhere else and still see all the action.
The eagle is standing in, and drinking from, a small freshwater stream that is flowing into the saltwater. In all the years I have seen eagles, this is the first time I remember seeing one actually drink water. It stood in that small stream for 15-20 minutes. The outside temperature was probably in the 30s in the bright sunshine, but man that water must have been cold. I wanted to get to a better place, but would have had to get even closer to the eagle to get by it, and I didn't want to do that.

There was so much contrast, I don't like how the image ended up. Besides Shadows/Highlights and curves, I cropped it by about 50%.
Comments and suggestions always appreciated.

Fuji X-T1, 18-135 lens at 123 mm
ISO 800, 1/500 sec, f18

Comments

3 comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on March 26, 2018 at 9:40 AM

I think you did OK considering the light you were working with and the short lens. I do think if you could tone down the brightness a bit it would look better. I would also crop tighter if possible, and lighten the shadows on the eagles body. Or, just enjoy the image you have. Thanks for sharing.

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

Comment posted by Ed Williams on March 26, 2018 at 10:26 AM

Tough conditions Genny. Great behavioral shot though. Thanks for sharing. I've never seen a raptor drinking either.

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on March 26, 2018 at 4:50 PM

Very cool behavior, Genny. I've never seen them drinking either, though you have a lot more of them in that neck of the woods. Nice catch.

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