Golden Eagle

Gallery: AvianPosted March 29, 2014673 views9 comments

In the midst of a snow storm today I observed this eagle on an elk carcass. Before I could get my lens on the eagle it flew away (sound familiar), then landed on a cliff nearby, where I was able to make this photo. Of course not the full frame capture I narrowly missed but hope it still works ?
Nikon D4, 600 VR, 400 iso, 1/2000, f5, beanbag, 61% of original capture.

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on March 29, 2014 at 5:37 PM

It kind of does and kind of doesn't work for me, Gary. To my eye, it feels like there's too much vertical space, but I've tried to figure out a crop I like better and can't seem to do it. I like the feel of the cliff that the vertical space gives, but the bird seems just a little lost in the image. Maybe try going to a vertical comp?

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

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on March 29, 2014 at 5:42 PM

Thanks Dennis. I also thought about a vertical composition but I didn't want to lose the depth and interest of the cliff on the left side. I wanted the vertical area under the eagle to show the snow sliding off the rock below the eagle. Your comments are much appreciated.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on March 30, 2014 at 10:08 AM

It's too bad you spooked him off the carcass before you could get a nice close up. I think this works reasonably well, I like the cliff face on the left but I think Dennis's suggestion of a vertical would well too in this case. You could have added your teleconverter if he hung around after you got a few initial shots.

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

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on March 30, 2014 at 10:46 AM

Gary I like this composition and find the Eagle perfectly placed in the scene. This shows the very rugged environment that this Eagle has to survive in very well. To bad about missing the close-up but since you did, I would go back to FF or a very small crop showing more of the cliff environment and re-title 'Cliff Hanger'.

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on March 30, 2014 at 1:50 PM

For me it works; an interesting setting for sure ! Cheers, Hans

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

Comment posted by David Haynes on March 31, 2014 at 12:46 AM

Boy does this ever work. Love it. Very dramatic cliff face. Not sure how he's holding on. Love the crop and composition Gary. The larger image shows very good detail. I would have loved to see this full frame like you intended but this is maybe even better with all that dramatic environment. Count me in for one that loves this.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on March 31, 2014 at 6:33 AM

Great setting Gary

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

Comment posted by David Chauvin on March 31, 2014 at 7:30 AM

Over time I've come to appreciate birds as part of the landscape more and more so this looks great to me.

For this presentation I think darker bg to define the frame (especially the upper right) would help.

Registered on August 5, 2004, 1007 Posts, 5595 Comments

Comment posted by John Neukirch on April 3, 2014 at 2:02 PM

Why is it that raptors never seem to mind your presence until you pick up a camera. Sometimes it feels like they're just playing games with us. Although not the shot you wanted it's still a nice seasonal image.

Registered on July 9, 2012, 207 Posts, 1476 Comments