While in Alaska last year on one of the bus trips into Denali National Park, I was sitting with a herd of folks who considered themselve serious photographers with some impressive gear. I was almost embarrassed to have only a 7D with a 100-400 on it.
One gentleman was holding court in the back of the bus extolling his vast knowledge of photography and ensuring everyone knew this was his fifth trip that week and he knew what worked or didn't work while shooting wildlife in the park.
It wasn't too long before the driver stopped & pointed out some wildlife in the distance. The sun was directly behind them. Mr. Expert told everyone it was impossilbe to get a shot because the shots would be into the sun. Nothing would turn out, he said. Don't waste time, he coached. And he poo-ed poo-ed me as I took numerous shots out the bus window at different settings.
Mr. Expert tsk, tsk-ed as I clicked. Only a couple of others attempted shots, perhaps fearful of incurring his wrath 
I wouldn't include them in my "best of" collection, but I'm glad I tried.
Lots of PP and Photoshop work to bring the 'detail' out in this one:
For some of the shots I changed the shutter speed from 1/250 to 1/1000 in an attempt to control the brightness.
The result is better than I expected ... a lovely silouette:
At the next stop, Mr. Expert told people it's too far away, need a tripod, not enough contast, sun at the wrong angle, no good ...
Again, not my best shot of an eagle, but I'm glad I took it!
It was the only eagle we saw that day.
Had to significantly crop the image for this result.
The moral of this sordid tale is ...
well, you tell me what the moral is ...
