Bald Eagle . . .

[RJSorensen]

Sorry that this one would not come out from behind the 'twigs' and give me that 'center fold' view we see all to often here. However I was on a schedule so I had to just shoot and run . . . I drove down to Ogden, Utah today. So anyway here he is with his lunch, looks like a big old carp when I first got there. He tore at it with his beak and held on the the limb with one foot, holding the fish with the other. He was torked that he came into a tree with a eagle watcher setup nearby (me). LOL. Anyway so as to not gross out the Ladies, this one shows the facts without the gore. Made my Mrs. a little squirmy I am sorry to say.

Theys guys are soon off to Canada for the summer, there are some Goldens that stay around most of the time. I guess I could switch over to them. Got to love that 100-400.

20D/100-400

[Steve Parr]

Again, it's a photo of yours that makes my day.

I've got a thing for Bald Eagles. They're simply the most majestic animal on the planet. I collect pictures, ceramic pieces, sculptures and, now, desktop wallpapers...

Steve

[sparker1]

Another super good shot, Rod. The twigs aren't a problem, you can clearly see his head (and most of the body detail), but the head is everything in this picture. It is one of the most expressive eagle shots I've seen. And, yes, you do a great job with that great lens. Even though the lighting is from the rear, you captured a good exposure on the front. Very impressive.

[RJSorensen]

LOL, thanks Stan, I wish they would 'pose' for me . . . like they do for many. But with this . . . you shoot what you got from where you are. NO time to change settings and or move, or they are gone. Thanks for your kindness on the exposure. I always like to shoot with a catch light in the eye, which this one misses as well . . . but you can't have everything. The catch light was on the other side today. Guess I will have to watch that too.

Steve you are more than welcome.

[TammieO]

Gotta love the head shot. How close were you? I'm jealous. I have yet to see a bald eagle up close. The only one I've seen was a small speck in the sky.

[RJSorensen]

First Tammie . . . I got the right end. How close, about twenty-five feet ground to limb. I got a nice flight shot of a second eagle that came in to see what was going on as well. I don't think eagles are one of the harder birds. I have a lot more trouble with 'Little Birds.'

If you go where they are, and when they feed and or move. There is not a lot to them. I am sure everyone wants the rest of the world to think it is hard, but really not so. I see them most every day but then I see most other things every day too. Except Moose, I have to go looking for them. Deer are easy as are elk and buffalo, antelope are or can be tough for me at least. Since I got the 100-400 I try to not shoot stuff without the catch-light in the eye. That lens is so good you can afford to be picky. I thought the 'fish' in the photo was a nice added touch with this one. And I should have setup better . . . next time.

[herderdog]

That is simply AWESOME! Wow. More than just a sharp picture of an eagle.

Did you use a tripod? or handheld?

[RJSorensen]

LOL, this if free hand of course. I don't think they would put up with me making camp. The IS helps a bunch I am sure, but I have been trying to shoot at faster shutter speeds as well. Most of the time in the past I just shoot to darn slow. I learned here on POTN the trick to up the shutter speed and move the ISO up as well if you have too. I just checked and this photograph was taken at 400mm, f/8, ISO 200, @1/640 of a second. Handheld as is mostly the case with birds of prey. At least with me.

[Maureen Souza]

This is sooo amazing. Can't wait to get back to eagle country and shoot some for myself. I love the carp and the twigs...makes for a natural eagle look. Love you work....

[RJSorensen]

LOL, Maureen . . . anyone whom uses ellipses, is alright by me. Also thanks for your kind words as well.

[RJSorensen]

I think you can see the 'fish' in this photograph. You could hear the sounds of the bones being chomped apart . . . uck. He just sat there and let me watch him pull this fish into little pieces. You have to love Bald Eagles though . . .

[Sicily1918]

Beautiful shots... I had one of those suckers fly above my head once (it circled three or four times about 10 feet above me) and then dive down the side of a cliff to make something its lunch.

It was uncanny; completely silent -- it never flapped and on a completely still and quiet day I still couldn't hear a thing; and it was HUGE with its wings spread out (over 6-foot span).... beautiful creature.

[RJSorensen]

I saw some Golden Eagles flying today . . . and they had big wing spans . . . as you note. Top of the food chain is the only place to be. They are kings and I think that they know it.

[Avalonthas]

I agree with you, if the twigs were out of the way it would make a hell of a shot but regardless its a good photograph, especially the one where hes chowing down on his prey. Gives you a greater appreciation for nature when you see these kind of shots.