Bald Eagle
A rare chance to see a bald eagle up close in the wild.
A rare chance to see a bald eagle up close in the wild.
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Aug, 2015Views
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Awards
People's Choice in Eagles in nature Photo Challenge
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Peer Award
Magnificent Capture
Top Choice
Love it
Superior Skill
All Star
Outstanding Creativity
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Behind The Lens
Location
I was fortunate enough to see the eagle at a tree-lined lake shore in Western Colorado, where I work and live. Eagles can often be found perched in a tree looking for their next meal.Time
It was an overcast summer afternoon when Finally caught up with the bald eagle. I had a few distant sightings in the days leading up to the shoot and was ready with running shoes and a very long lens.Lighting
Bald eagles have a distinctive look that can be challenging to properly expose (dark brown body and pure white head), so make use of your rear display to check your settings as you shoot.Equipment
I'm currently using a Canon 70D, and for this shot I used a Sigma 150-500mm lens. The closest I had to a tripod was a nearby tree.Inspiration
Over the last few years, I've had the opportunity to photograph a wide range of birds and animals, but I didn't have a bald eagle close-up, so the initial drive was to add to my collection, but during the shoot I always get excited to be there and have the chance to observe.Editing
This image is one of maybe 100 that I shot that afternoon. I try to avoid making unrealistic edits to an image, and I believe I only worked on shadows and perhaps a little noise reduction.In my camera bag
Since I'm usually in a forest or on he side of a mountain, I've learned to travel light. To avoid dust problems, I select a lens before heading out. Where the potential for a great wildlife shot is high, I carry my long telephoto zoom already mounted. The only other equipment I generally carry amounts to lens cloths and rain covers!Feedback
I always tell people to learn something about your intended subject. If you know the habits of a particular species, you're more likely to find your shot. Always learn safe viewing distances. As a general rule, if you're close enough to alter a wild animal's behavior, you're too close.
