Sky Watcher

Gallery: AvianPosted December 14, 2009292 views19 comments

...not that I'm trying to 'trump' Mr. Davies

Another shot from February this year - I knew I had this one..!

I'm certain this the male of a pair that frequent this particular site during winter; I thought at first he was watching a Golden Eagle up in the sky, but it turned out to be his 'wife'.

The poor old lad seemed to get such a hard time when she landed - I don't know what he'd done wrong, but I remember thinking "nothing changes..."

The "ice fog" is actually on a small ridge about 10/15 yards closer to the camera; it's the focal length, bokeh and length of the lens tube that makes it look like this - pity I've got rid of the lens

D3
300-800mm f5.6 @ 800mm
ISO 400
1/500th @ f6.3 +1.0EV

PP LR3Beta and CS4

Thanks for looking - I hope you like it

Comments

19 comments

Comment posted by Sally King on December 14, 2009 at 10:35 AM

I don't just like it, I love it. I think it is kind of cool how he is standing in the ice fog and I really like that skyward gaze. He is definitely intent upon something.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on December 14, 2009 at 10:44 AM

This is a really powerful image. Love the composition, mood and the eagle's look up. I think the only suggestion I have is print it BIG

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

Comment posted by Mark Davies on December 14, 2009 at 10:51 AM

I see your golden eagle and raise you with long tailed tit. LOL
Just wonderful .Comp, atmosphere and pose just come together beautifully .Git I hate you .

Registered on February 3, 2009, 21 Posts, 327 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on December 14, 2009 at 11:08 AM

Very striking shot Andy. I love the ice fog and the whole atmosphere. I wouldn't change a thing.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments

Comment posted by Carrie O'Brien-Sib on December 14, 2009 at 12:04 PM

"Over the top", Andy!

Registered on August 4, 2009, 149 Posts, 889 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on December 14, 2009 at 12:56 PM

Extraordinary image, Andy!!

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by Darren Colello on December 14, 2009 at 1:07 PM

Wow, this is absolutely amazing IMO. I love the feather detail the bg and the entire composition. Excellent, superb.

Registered on July 27, 2009, 175 Posts, 1100 Comments

Comment posted by Ákos Lumnitzer on December 14, 2009 at 5:34 PM

Wonderful pose and habitat Andy. Like the comp.

I am glad you were there in the cold and not me.

Registered on April 24, 2004, 25 Posts, 510 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Mason on December 14, 2009 at 6:11 PM

Excellent! If anything, a little more room on top would be good.

Registered on December 14, 2005, 399 Posts, 2305 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 14, 2009 at 7:35 PM

A memorable image Andy, for obvious reasons. Until I read your comment I wondered if the ice fog had been PS'ed in. The eagle is excellent and the background works perfectly in this context. I too wonder about more room at the top...

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Andy Astbury on December 14, 2009 at 7:58 PM

Thanks everyone

Ian, Ron - I agree, infact I'd like it 'portrait' myself with lots of space at the top, but that would be all PS work.

The shot is FF with a sliver off the right due to my poor 'in camera' comp.

Registered on January 11, 2007, 28 Posts, 257 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on December 14, 2009 at 8:19 PM

Mind blowing! I LOVE it too

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on December 14, 2009 at 9:30 PM

Andy

This is a delightful image, the ice fog really add a lot to it. I like the upturned head angle and the fluffed out neck feathers a great deal.

Gorgeous as posted.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on December 14, 2009 at 10:35 PM

Excaellent as posted, Andy. I like the environment here and the sharp detail.

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on December 14, 2009 at 11:50 PM

Love the colors in the background and the way the bird just appears out of the fog. Fine composition.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on December 15, 2009 at 6:02 AM

Another fantastic shot Andy - it just looks so cold.

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on December 15, 2009 at 1:20 PM

Very cool image. The OOF white corner does add an artistic feel to the image that fits it well. Great work.
How did you manage to get tjis shot Andy, is this bird baited?

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Andy Astbury on December 16, 2009 at 3:42 AM

Hi Vincent - the eagles are baited here 'of sorts' - sometimes they turn up, other times they don't.

Registered on January 11, 2007, 28 Posts, 257 Comments

Comment posted by David Williams on December 16, 2009 at 10:31 AM

Great photo and story, Andy.....love it!

Registered on March 8, 2005, 315 Posts, 2291 Comments