Steller's Sea Eagle

Gallery: AvianPosted July 4, 2011572 views17 comments

One of the highlights of each year's Japan tour is always shooting Steller's sea eagles on the Sea of Okhotsk.

The Steller's sea eagle [Haliaeetus pelagicus] is the biggest bird in the genus Haliaeetus and is one of the largest raptors overall. The typical size range is 85-105 cm (33-41 in) long and the wingspan is 195-230 cm (77-91 in). Females typically weigh from 6.8-9 kg (15-20 lb), while males are considerably lighter with a weight range from 4.9-6 kg (11-13 lb). An unverified record exists of a huge female that weighed 12.7 kilograms (28 lb).

This species is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN. The main threats to its survival are habitat alteration, industrial pollution and over-fishing. The current population is estimated at 5,000 and decreasing.

Personally, I think they're one of the prettiest raptors on this planet, and seeing dozens of them at the same time is a real treat.

This year there was a lot of pack ice along the coast, so much that we almost weren't able to leave the harbor with our boat. Luckily, a lot of pack ice usually means a lot of Steller's, and every direction you looked there were Steller's. There were so many of them, that it was actually hard to keep an eye on them all.

This is one of my favorite shots from the first day. The pack ice worked very nicely as a giant reflector, and adds context to the shot.

Nikon D3s, AF-S VR II 200-400/4.0, 1/1250 @ f/8, ISO 400, handheld

Comments

17 comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on July 4, 2011 at 8:10 AM

This is an outstanding image. The larger image is a must. When I opened the larger image I was captivated by the eagle. The sharpness, detail and comp. are all outstanding. One of the best eagle shots I have seen.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on July 4, 2011 at 8:27 AM

Beautiful bird and extraordinary setting. Could not be better!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Phillip Tomkinson on July 4, 2011 at 9:17 AM

Hi it's a great image.

Phil.

Registered on July 14, 2005, 194 Posts, 427 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on July 4, 2011 at 10:22 AM

Very cool image Marsel. I like how this shot almost plays tricks with the viewer...if you look quickly, almost looks like the Eagle is flying over puffy clouds instead of ice. Excellent exposure on this and really like the setting. This would be awesome in a huge print.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on July 4, 2011 at 10:43 AM

A very nice image of a spectacular species Marsel. Nice job exposing the snow and the reflected light under the dark bird is a real plus. Love the setting and your composition. There's a narrow halo around the bird that extends into the sky as a broad halo that I'd work on if this were mine.

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on July 4, 2011 at 11:59 AM

A strong composition and image. Perfect exposure.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Arthur Tiutenko on July 4, 2011 at 2:52 PM

Having seen the thumbnail, my first thought was too that the eagle is flying over white clouds - like an airplane :-) The snow contributes to the lighting that was just perfect. Very beautiful light colours.

Registered on July 9, 2009, 9 Posts, 95 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on July 4, 2011 at 7:17 PM

Thatis such a cool image. The ice and beautiful light and sky complet the great flight shot.

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

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on July 4, 2011 at 7:32 PM

Amazing image! Love the cool blue setting.

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Marsel van Oosten on July 5, 2011 at 6:33 AM

Thanks for your comments, much appreciated.

Ron - would you mind telling me on what sort of screen you noticed the halo and whether it is calibrated? I've got four calibrated screens here and two laptops, and I can't see the halo on any of them. However, when I add a Levels adjustment layer in PS and crank up the contrast really high, I see what you're seeing. Don't know what's going on there, but it is in the original raw as well. I worked on the image to get rid of it, and it is now gone. So thank you for the heads up.

Are there other people that notice the above mentioned halo?

Registered on March 9, 2004, 285 Posts, 2277 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on July 5, 2011 at 4:17 PM

Marsel, Sorry I'm late in responding to your question. I just now noticed it.
When I first commented on the halo my screen was overdue for calibration. I calibrated it last night and I'm still seeing the halo, particularly the narrow one and especially around the darks of the bird as is typical.

Here's a threshold layer screenshot showing the narrow halo.

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on July 5, 2011 at 4:19 PM

And here's the halo as it broadens out.

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

Comment posted by Marsel van Oosten on July 5, 2011 at 4:24 PM

Ron - thanks for that.

Still don't understand why you see it so clearly and no one else does.

Anyway, like I said - I saw it too after boosting the contrast and solved it. I'll post it here tomorrow.

Registered on March 9, 2004, 285 Posts, 2277 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on July 6, 2011 at 2:25 AM

Nice one Marsel - really like the low angle over the snow

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on July 6, 2011 at 1:00 PM

I saw a wildlife special on these birds and it was amazing just as your shot is, simply a stunning image all the way around. I really like the overall composition with the foreground ice pack and with the dark eagle coming in really adds a nice contrast. The larger image was a pleasure to view, excellent shot, that must of been an amazing experience.

Interesting to read about the comments on the halo. At first I did not see it and after reading the comments went to go look for it. I am on a uncalibrated monitor at work but can just barely see the halo after really looking hard. I do not think most people would of noticed it.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on July 25, 2011 at 8:05 PM

Incredible clarity - perfect exposure and a glorious composition. One of the best avian images I've seen come from your camera.

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Joseph Campisi on August 20, 2011 at 4:15 PM

Perfect in every way Marsel! I would love to see a Steller's in the wild. They are very striking with that plumage and massive beak.

Guess I should consider myself lucky enough to live in an area where bald eagles are quite common!

Registered on November 24, 2008, 304 Posts, 3211 Comments