Talk about missing "The shot!"

So back in June and July I was up in Alaska with my father, brothers and our sons. A guys only fishing trip. As the boat was getting ready to be launched for a day of halibut fishing I noticed this Eagle and her two fledglings on the beach. All I had on me was my 70-200 f4 L. So I sloooooooowwwwly crept forward to make the mom baldy as big in the frame as possible. Well it wasn't like I wasn't going to go un-noticed by her. She watched me pretty closely and actually let me get within a 100 feet.

Shot with my old and now retired 300D and a 70-200 f4 L

Those would be awesome captures to have. What a beautiful bird.
Ahh you live and learn.

Oh man!!! I feel for you.......stunning bird, but 200mm simply wasn't enough, was it. If I were you though, I'd consider converting those shots into something more "arty", if nothing more, as some practice with your PP skills.

Sounds like the trip would have been awesome no matter!

Post more next time you guys go up there....but take a 1.4x TC with you!

The first shot is terrific. That should make up a little for the lost BIF shot.

I agree on the first shot, the lighting is great.
Don

Oh... the power of high ISO and larger apertures

Thanks for the kind thoughts. I did learn from that one to double check the settings before going in.
As for the lighting, I can't say enough about how long "Golden Hour" lasts up there in the summer. I kid you not, the sun stays at that level for about 2.5 hours bathing the surface in warm tones.
And as for the bird, WOW! We get an occational Bald eagle here in Colorado in only certain spots and only durning mating season, but up there, they rival the sea gulls! This was the first one I got close to and toward the end I almost got tired of seeing them. Almost. It's the same with moose. We get a few in Colorado, there they are as thick as Mule deer here. Only they hurt more if you hit one with a car. We dodged a few up there in the long mornings.

Again, thanks for looking and commiserating with me.