Strike Eagle

Gallery: AvianPosted February 7, 2014120 views6 comments

Immature Mississippi River Bald Eagle gliding in to snatch a fish from the river. I liked this pose, as it is a bit different. I also like the way the feathers on the upper surface of the wing are lifting up. This is due to the low pressure above the wing as the eagle dropped suddenly toward the river. Once he leveled off, the pressure on the top of the wing increased enough to allow the feathers to lay back down.

And yes, he was successful.

Comments and critiques welcome.

Canon 7D
Canon 200-400 f4 L IS
f7.1
1/1250s
ISO 320
Focal Length 200mm

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on February 7, 2014 at 10:40 PM

Cool angle, Jerry. Unusual to be able to get a shot from above the eagle. I do wish the water had been continuous as I find the junction with the ice to be a bit of a distraction.

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

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on February 8, 2014 at 1:49 AM

Jerry,
This is certainly an usual pose, very nice image

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on February 8, 2014 at 5:45 AM

Interesting lighter colors for this immature eagle and I like the detail on the eagle. You have been getting some nice eagle flight shots so my only suggestion would be to start thinking about cleaner backgrounds if that is possible for your area.

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

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on February 8, 2014 at 9:24 AM

Jim,

I certainly agree with your background comment. It's pretty difficult to find clean backgrounds in the area where I shoot. This trip, I branched out to try to find better locations, but those new locations weren't too productive. Thanks for all your comments.

Jerry

Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on February 8, 2014 at 3:54 PM

Your eagle flights shots are definitely improving; this one is quite nice.

I agree with Jim's comment on background; I certainly struggle with it. If you can't get cooperation out of the bird, then consider widening the aperture a bit, or blurring in post-proessing (a poor last choice).

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

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on February 10, 2014 at 11:24 PM

All comments aside, it's still nice to capture a full frame flight shot at 200mm! A very different flight pose! Sharon

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