Bald Eagle Snatches Prey

Gallery: AvianPosted January 17, 2014172 views14 comments

Here's a Bald Eagle shot from our annual workshop on Hood Canal, Washington taken last May. In this location the eagles are not baited, they are feeding on spawning midshipman fish during low tides. I liked the head on pose in this shot.

Canon 5D3 500F4 1.4x 1/1600 F9, iso 1600

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Ákos Lumnitzer on January 17, 2014 at 8:32 PM

Fabulous shot with great action and eye contact. Excellent balance with comp. I hope to come to the USA one day to photograph these stunning raptors.

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

Comment posted by Scott Frye on January 17, 2014 at 8:44 PM

Nice action -- I like the full wing span

Registered on February 3, 2007, 387 Posts, 1136 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on January 18, 2014 at 5:57 AM

Caught in the act, as it were... Great job ! Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Martin Dunn on January 18, 2014 at 6:51 AM

Nice capture Nate.
I like the 'moment' and the full wingspan.
colours seem a bit muted though

Registered on February 20, 2013, 198 Posts, 1011 Comments

Comment posted by Randy Runtsch on January 18, 2014 at 8:08 AM

Hi Nate!

This is a beautiful capture of the eagle in action. Like Martin, I agree that the colors of the feathers seem a tad muted. Also, there is a tiny white spot about the middle of the left wing, and a larger one below the same wing, almost half-way to the bottom border, that you may wish to edit out.

In all, a great action image.

Registered on October 30, 2013, 50 Posts, 445 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on January 18, 2014 at 9:12 AM

Thanks for your comments everyone. With respect to the muted colors, it was taken on an overcast day and I have already increased the contrast some so I think they are about right for the conditions.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on January 18, 2014 at 10:16 AM

Such a dramatic image with the bird coming at you head on and the fish fully ensnared in one talon

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

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on January 18, 2014 at 10:30 AM

The pose and view of the eagle are really nice...prey adds to the image. I like the striated water. Was it snowing? Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on January 18, 2014 at 10:48 AM

Thanks Luke and Sharon. Sharon, it wasn't snowing, I am not sure what the 2 white objects are near/in the beak and on the right in the water, feathers of another bird maybe. Also the bird had a few unusual white marks such as on the wing tip. Also, there is a lot of flying water from the splash.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on January 18, 2014 at 11:36 AM

Yes, Nate...those 2 white thingies is why I asked! Thanks! Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on January 18, 2014 at 6:29 PM

Wonderful, love the wing span. Nice catch with the fish.

Ray

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on January 18, 2014 at 7:05 PM

Great timing, Nate. Looks like you had the infamous NW overcast that day. I like the head turn that gives eye contact.

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on January 18, 2014 at 7:11 PM

Sweet catch for you and eagle Nate

I like the head too.

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on January 19, 2014 at 7:41 AM

Love the head-on POV Nate, great head-turn and pose..
Excellent comp, sweet!

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments