Juvenile Bald Eagle

I made this image very close to the VC at RMA today. I've been getting out fairly regularly and am amazed by how many eagles have shown up just in the last week. There are 43 on the roost and I counted 25 on Lake Derby this morning. They were mostly hanging out on the ice - which is pretty far out right now - before dispersing for the day.

I used a 600 + 1.4x TC on a window mount for this shot and went for the high-key sky. I also shot the bird with tail, but opted for this comp for a more intimate view without distracting branches.

This is majestic, Dave! Don't see many images of a juvenile eagle.
I like everything about it. The high key background, the forked branch, the crop you chose...just everything.
You even got a catchlight in the bird's eye! Outstanding catch (..and from the comfort of your vehicle even!).

Im undecided about the high key...but the bird looks great!

Great job on capturing the details, Dave. It doesn't hurt at all to not show the tail, imo.

Perhaps just a bit more in front of the bird, to show that whole part of the branch in the corner.

Nice image. That 600 with the extender sure produced one sharp image. Must be a Canon

Dave- Great detail on that Juvenile! May have to give RMA a try.

Thanks for the comments, folks. A few notes: The catchlight lasted about 10 seconds when the clouds parted and cloudiness and generally grey skies are the reason for deciding on a high key background. The bird was moving his head back and forth rapidly and I may have 2 or 3 more images out of ~ 400 with catchlight. I think high key needs to be used sparingly and can make portraits look like they were made in a studio. The lens is a 20 year old Nikon. When I add the TC and hang it on the window mount, I increase ISO (I think this was 640) and use a cable release while making sure to stay still so the car doesn't cause vibration. It's generally not that comfortable to be looking up while scrunching down and craning my neck to see the bird through the viewfinder - but worth it when you have a cooperative bird.

Dave, I really like this shot. The high key effect does not bother me in the least. The only thing I am undecided on is the comp honestly. Kind of feels like stuck in the middle.. maybe just crop the whole lower part and go for a tight comp or back out and show the tail. Maybe it is the part of that branch sticking in, I don't now. Then again, I am just being uber critical, because this is really nice work.

Excellent pose and I like the white background.

Nice sharp image of this juvie Dave. Very nice to hear about the counts being up. Last year was very disappointing for balds.

I like it with the high-key background. Really nice shot!

Really like the shot, but no a big fan of the background. Glad to hear there are more out there. I've see a few flying overhead on the way to and from DIA in the last few weeks.

Love the high-key! Great details in the eagle as well.