Locked On

Gallery: AvianPosted November 26, 2014147 views6 comments

This almost mature Bald Eagle was within a few meters of his meal. Eagles amass at this dam site annually in numbers of up to two hundred reported. The attraction is the fish released from the hydroelectric dam when they power up the turbines and open the flood gates. Most of the fish are still alive, but many are stunned from the ordeal-to the delight of the eagles and gulls that wait for a meal.

Conowingo Dam, Susquehanna River, Maryland

D810
500mm F/4
TC-14E II
1/2500s @ f/7.1
ISO 640
HH

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on November 26, 2014 at 12:27 PM

Very nice moment captured. Sharpness is great. Love the intense look. As posted it is a bit dark. I looked a the histogram and if you'll apply a levels adjustment layer in photoshop and move the white point into about 215 I think you'll see a much more dynamic image without compromising any of the whites.

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

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on November 26, 2014 at 12:36 PM

Hey Chuck,
Sounds like a feast for Eagles and Photographers alike and this is a perfect example. You captured this one in an excellent position with a perfect POV. The detail, wing position, out stretched talons and water reflection could not be better. My only concern is that the overall image does seem a bit dark on my monitor.
Well done on a great find and I hope to see more images from this day.

Man !

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

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on November 26, 2014 at 12:39 PM

As per Keith's suggestion I applied a universal levels mask and adjusted the white point to 215. It does seem to bring out better detail. Thanks Keith.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Frye on November 26, 2014 at 1:47 PM

Nice shot but still looks very dark on my monitor -- action like this can make photography really, really fun

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

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on November 26, 2014 at 3:08 PM

Hi Chuck, lovely pose & position within frame, great to see those talons out.

Gut feeling, but overall the image is just too cool based on the posting, look at the blue coming through on screen. Simple test, move the Temp up i.e. to the right, I think you will be pleasantly surprised what happens, I think it's just the WB, but you may need to then make some further adjustments . Just a thought/impression, but you know where I am if you need some pointers.

Cheers
Steve

Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on November 26, 2014 at 11:06 PM

Hi Charles:

I think the repost is an improvement. I wondered what might happen if it were pushed up just a bit more and some selective adjustments were made. This is what I came up with. See what you think.

Keith

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