The Thief

Gallery: AvianPosted April 19, 2012872 views20 comments

This was shot on last year's Japan tour. One of my personal highlights always is to photograph white-tailed and Steller sea eagles on the pack ice that comes floating down from Siberia. To see these awesome birds in action is a real joy, even without a camera.

This shot shows a white-tailed eagle that is about to steal a fish from another eagle. It was snowing heavily, but I think the snow flakes add to the atmosphere. It may just look like a snowy landscape, but this is a large piece of ice on the ocean.

Larger version can be found here.

Marsel

Comments

20 comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on April 19, 2012 at 11:01 AM

Wonderful pose with the extended talons and intent look!
The snow is a definite "plus"-
love this image!
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on April 19, 2012 at 2:12 PM

Marsel: Another splendid image. The exposure is excellent on this image with a difficult situation. Details a clear in the snow as well as the darkest parts of the eagle. The snow flakes really add to this image for me as well. The only thing I wish for is more room around the eagle. I'm assuming this represents a crop, but I don't know that for sure. Thanks for sharing this image with us.

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

Comment posted by Rick Turner on April 19, 2012 at 3:09 PM

Great capture and great story.

Registered on February 18, 2012, 534 Posts, 2755 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on April 19, 2012 at 3:50 PM

Very nice Marsel. Great bird position. The snow adds a great deal to the feel of this image. Well done.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on April 19, 2012 at 4:53 PM

Wow, Marsel, just wow! I don't even know how you get images like this in those kinds of snowy conditions! The snow is definitely a huge bonus. The talons coming forward really give a sense of just what is happening. Do you have any images of him trying to steal the fish from the other eagle

Registered on February 8, 2011, 254 Posts, 1302 Comments

Comment posted by Geoff Powell on April 19, 2012 at 7:20 PM

Fantastic!

Registered on March 20, 2012, 21 Posts, 170 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on April 19, 2012 at 9:34 PM

This is an outstanding image. The action, focus and detail. The falling snow really adds to the image and you handled the exposure great.

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on April 19, 2012 at 10:04 PM

Beautiful, Marsel. Excellent pose and sharpness and the snow really does add to the image.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Sally Wood on April 20, 2012 at 5:56 PM

Wow, what an image........ very nice!

Registered on March 8, 2012, 39 Posts, 509 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on April 22, 2012 at 4:12 AM

Wonderfully dynamic shot Marsel

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

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on April 22, 2012 at 6:56 AM

just fabulous Marsel
the falling snow adds a whole heap to an already great image...

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on April 22, 2012 at 11:31 AM

Wonderful shot. I feel like I am there. If I look at this again I will have to wear a coat!

Registered on March 13, 2011, 326 Posts, 1679 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on April 22, 2012 at 5:06 PM

A complex photo with strikingly strong implied action. I think the loss of detailing the bird is more than made up for by the implied action.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on April 23, 2012 at 8:47 PM

Very cool pose and the falling snow adds alot IMO. I also like the light and detail you got on the wings.

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

Comment posted by May Haga on April 23, 2012 at 9:08 PM

Excellent action and the snow is a bonus. Very, very nice.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on April 25, 2012 at 10:04 AM

Marsel, this is one of the best action shots I've ever seen.......Gorgeous capture. Congratulations on the WP for this image posted here at NPN......

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Diffley on April 25, 2012 at 7:09 PM

Congrads on the gallery winner image!

Registered on April 8, 2012, 52 Posts, 279 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on April 26, 2012 at 11:57 AM

Congrats on the WP!
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Marsel van Oosten on April 27, 2012 at 3:01 PM

Thanks so much for all the kind words - much appreciated!

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

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on May 14, 2012 at 8:26 PM

I haven't been around the site much, but sure glad I looked at the WP to see this one Marsel. Simply OUTSTANDING! Your work never ceases to amaze me.

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