Regal Fish Eagle

Gallery: AvianPosted March 22, 2014137 views14 comments

I've just returned from leading an amazing safari to the Chobe river that lies between Botswana and Namibia. Using a custom-built low-impact photographic boat we were able to get close to many different subjects, among them this beautiful African Fish Eagle (family of the Bald Eagle, Stellar's Sea Eagle and White-tailed See Eagle).

By shooting with my D800 and 500mm, I was able to get immensely detailed full frame portraits, shots that I've been after for quite some time.

Techs:
Nikon D800
Nikkor 500mm f4 VR-II
f4.0 | 1/1250 SS | ISO-140
Pretty much full frame
Worth checking out the large file for detail

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Rick Cloran on March 22, 2014 at 6:47 PM

Stunning detail. I love the shot. If you have any more on the left I might add a bit of that back in. It feels like he might bump he beak on the edge if he turned.

Registered on April 6, 2004, 119 Posts, 1989 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Cross on March 22, 2014 at 7:48 PM

The clarity and detail of the eagle are exceptional. Just like a window on wildlife. You got an excellent pose from the eagle and your BG is just right. There's a full range of detail from the whites to the blacks. Really well done.

Registered on April 3, 2010, 271 Posts, 1342 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on March 22, 2014 at 9:15 PM

Wonderful image Morkel. Love the pose. Wouldn't change a thing.

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

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on March 22, 2014 at 11:19 PM

Excellent shot. A very handsome and fierce looking bird. Really nice detail in those feathers.

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on March 23, 2014 at 12:57 AM

Excellent detail. Great background, really makes the Eagle pop.

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on March 23, 2014 at 8:56 AM

Excellent capture Morkel. The detail is exquisite. Wouldn't change a thing.

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

Comment posted by William Bickle on March 23, 2014 at 9:01 AM

Hello Morkel

SWEET & Stunning Capture!!!

Well done with excellent feather detail and Exposure! The background is clear and clean....

I like that you can see feather detail showing the longer darker single hair like feathers on his chest area.
Is his crest blown up from a gust of wind or normal crest?

Really like this... Congrats:)

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Jefferson Silva on March 23, 2014 at 1:28 PM

This is impressive, Morkel.
The details, colors, sharpness, everything is great on the image.
Thanks for sharing!

Registered on December 18, 2012, 162 Posts, 975 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on March 23, 2014 at 2:59 PM

Morkel,
The detail in this image is stunning. You have excellent depth of field and you were shooting wide open. The detail in the eye is remarkable. Did you crop this at all? I love the background, the head turn, and the exposure is just perfect. What incredible light you had. Stunning.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Basri Akcasoy on March 23, 2014 at 3:29 PM

He is very handsome(if this beauty is a male), posing like hero.Excellent shot Morkel...

Registered on February 16, 2012, 118 Posts, 767 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on March 23, 2014 at 10:20 PM

Excellent, Morkel. Superb detail and a great job on the exposure, plus a very nice pose.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on March 25, 2014 at 2:45 AM

Stunning detail Morkel

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

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on March 25, 2014 at 3:39 AM

Thanks everyone! This was the female of a resident breeding pair, and no they don't normally have crests, it was the effect of the wind.

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

Comment posted by Martin Dunn on March 25, 2014 at 11:22 AM

Morkel, the exposure of this shot is perfect. The detail in the plumage is terrific the BG is great and you've even got a catchlight in the eye.
Personally though, I don't like the crop. I'd like a bit more on the left and a bit less on the right. I'd also like to see more of the bird.

Nice sales pitch though mate.

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