Youthful Exhuberance

Gallery: AvianPosted June 28, 201286 views4 comments

There is SOOO much to critique about this photo--that I realize.

But I just had to post it. This is the first eaglet at the first documented nest in my old home county of Susquehanna County, PA (confirmed by PGC and Audubon Society). I've been following the adults and now this eaglet closely, back two years.

It put on a nice show, hopping off the nest, preparing to fledge. Kept looking over the sides, and the adults are keeping their distance--watching.

But I was just thrilled and amazed at this head-up stretch of the wings he/she gave me. What size already, much larger than the nest!

And so I post it. D90, ISO-640, 1/2000th, f-6.3, 300mm... the nest and the land leading up to it is on private property. I did not go any closer, thus the photo between the leaves from too far away.

Your C&C still welcomed!!!
Bill

Comments

4 comments

Comment posted by Bill Maile on June 28, 2012 at 1:03 PM

Wow, that is one UGLY photo!! lol, oh well.

Registered on March 2, 2009, 984 Posts, 2518 Comments

Comment posted by Raymond Klassen on June 28, 2012 at 7:36 PM

Although not technically perfect, I often have images that mean a lot more to me than many others not because of the photo itself, but what lead me to take it. Cool that you got to see and photograph a first like this. Congrats!

Registered on November 30, 2008, 114 Posts, 790 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on June 28, 2012 at 10:27 PM

Techs aside, it is still a neat photo. You caught an important moment in a young eagles life. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Maile on June 29, 2012 at 9:39 AM

Thank you for "getting it" Ray and John!!

Not to make excuses, but it was hazy with the a.m. sun hitting directly on the dark browns and the golden beak. And yards and yards away with only a 300mm.

But it is worth it.

A photo I took of the adults carrying nesting material last year actually caused the shutdown of a major Tennessee Gas pipeline construction project that goes right thru the area about 100 yards away. It went all the way to the feds, and caused all kinds of havoc (for me, and the company!!). The pipeline ended up going thru, and now the adults often perch on an old scrag tree that overhangs where the pipeline runs.

I've been meaning to document all that in EPJ with a photo, but I could go on for pages about what happened.

In the end, just so happy to see the mating, hatching and incubation were all successful.

Registered on March 2, 2009, 984 Posts, 2518 Comments