I was on my way back home to California after vacation in Montana after unsuccessfully searching for a Bald Eagle to photograph in the two weeks prior. As I was...
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I was on my way back home to California after vacation in Montana after unsuccessfully searching for a Bald Eagle to photograph in the two weeks prior. As I was in the outskirts of Thompson Falls, Montana, I glanced over to the side of the road and noticed this Bald Eagle perched on a post watching the traffic go by. What luck. I low crawled with my camera and 200-400 lens close enough to capture to magnificent shot.
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Behind The Lens
Location
I was traveling through the outskirts of Thompson Falls, Montana on my way back to my home in California after visiting family in a nearby town. After about a week visit, during which time I was unsuccessful in locating a Bald Eagle to photograph, this shot presented itself as I drove down the highway...talking about a stroke of luck.Time
This was in the early morning because I was getting a head start on my lengthy drive back to California. My disappointment was still lingering within me at my failure in locating a Bald Eagle to photograph.Lighting
The sun was still rising so the light was soft and golden, providing a fantastic soft light upon the Bald Eagle.Equipment
My equipment was a Nikon D850 with a Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 mm lens with the shot taken with an exposure of 1/640 at f/20 with a focal length of 70mmInspiration
I have been looking for a week to take a shot of an Bald Eagle while visiting with family in Montana but no such luck. As I was beginning my journey back home in California, I noticed a small gathering of people pulled over at the side of the road shortly after I drove off from where I had been staying. Curiosity got the best of me and I turned around and drove back. As I came upon the few people left, I suddenly noticed they were watching a pair of Bald Eagles; one male and one female, each perched upon a wood post a few feet off the ground only about 100 feet off the road. I excitedly pulled over but as I was excitedly exiting my vehicle with the hopes of finally getting the shot I have been searching for for the last week, the pair flew off. I sadly got back in my vehicle and drove off as well as the few other spectators who had also pulled over. After finding a place to turn around on the two-lane highway, I headed back in the initial direction I was going. As I came upon the area where the Bald Eagles had been, I sighed with disappointment but then suddenly, I noticed a male Bald Eagle had landed back on one the posts, and no one was there to get in my way for the shot. Not wanting spook the Eagle off, I parked out of sight then slowly snuck up before the Bald Eagle could fly off. As I slowly approached a rise at the side of the road, I raised my camera in preparation of what I hoped would be the Bald Eagle still perched on the post when I peered over the rise. A few seconds later, there he was, about 50 feet away still perched majestically on the post as he watched surveyed the landscape. I only had time enough for a few shots before my presence was noticed by the Eagle and he flew off, just enough time for me to get the shot I had been searching for for the week prior. I felt honored and privileged to have this moment in time all to myself with this magnificent bird of prey, and that I was able to capture it with the lens of my camera.Editing
Other than some minor cropping, this shot is unaltered.In my camera bag
Besides my main camera body, Nikon D850, I carry a variety of Nikon lenses as to prepared for any type of shot at any distance: 14-24mm for landscapes, 24-70 for general and all around shots, 70-200mm for medium telephoto shots, and depending where I'm going and what I'm doing, my super telephone lens, the 200-400mm. I will also generally carry my Tokina 100mm lens for any macro photography opportunities that my present themselves.Feedback
If there is a particular shot you was desiring, don't give up hope if you do not succeed at first. In wildlife photography, having patience is a necessity and in many cases, researching the locations for the type of wildlife is a necessity.