~ The Talons Are Out For Landing ~
Original Photograph By Turtle Shoaf || ~
Crescent Beach in British Columbia is a great spot to watch eagles. I just happened to be at the right place an...
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Original Photograph By Turtle Shoaf || ~
Crescent Beach in British Columbia is a great spot to watch eagles. I just happened to be at the right place and time, when this beautiful eagle came in for a landing. ~
Nikon D5100 © Copyright. 2016 All Rights Reserved. - Do Not Copy or Reproduce -
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Crescent Beach in British Columbia is a great spot to watch eagles. I just happened to be at the right place and time, when this beautiful eagle came in for a landing. ~
Nikon D5100 © Copyright. 2016 All Rights Reserved. - Do Not Copy or Reproduce -
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Jul, 2016Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken at Blackie Spit, Crescent Beach in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. I was just standing on the shore, if you can believe it!Time
It was about mid-afternoon, as I was walking along the beach in Blackie Spit, that I noticed eagles soaring above me and was hoping one would get in my line of view for a good photo. Just as I had that thought, this eagle swoops down, literally in front of me, to land on the beach. I could not believe my good-fortune.Lighting
Mother Nature was on my side. This is natural sunlight and I was just at the right-angle and the right place - when the eagle swooped down and landed. I did not use a flash or any other lighting. Nor did I use additional post-editing to adjust the exposure. This lighting is pure Mother Nature and a great angle and ‘just in the right place at the right time’ lighting. I could not be more delighted with the actual sunlight illuminating the inside wings of this majestic bird of prey. Truly my great privilege to be able to capture one of God’s magnificent creatures in it’s natural habitat.Equipment
My equipment was a Nikon D5100 with a 300mm lens. No tripod, no flash. This shot was taken free-hand. As eagles are master flyers, I find it easier to just shoot freely and not be encumbered with a tripod. Shooting eagles is a fun challenge for me because they are such expert flyers, I always get so excited when I get a shot such at this!!! It can be a challenge to get a clear, crisp photo when they fly like the wind.Inspiration
I am blessed to live in beautiful British Columbia on the West coast of Canada. Eagles are in abundance here. I love to photograph them whenever I can. They truly are the most magnificent creatures. Many a day I have waded in the Pacific Ocean at Crescent Beach in bare feet with ocean water up to my shins and camera in hand - and had eagles swoop down so close to me - that I can hear their wings as they fly by. Who wouldn’t want to take photos of these wild and beautiful birds of prey?! I mean just look at the talons on this eagle!! This particular shot, is one of my favourites as the lighting is all Mother Nature.Editing
This shot, “ Talons out for landing” - has minimal post-processing.In my camera bag
I have my Nikon D5100 and Nikkor 55-300mm lens (this shot was taken with my Nikon D5100). I recently also purchased a Nikon D750. I carry sunscreen, extra memory cards, batteries and remote cable (I prefer a remote cable verses a wifi remote, as I find it much easier to use when doing night shots of Vancouver.). Also, I have this lens cleaner brush and some lens paper as I am at the beach a lot and always want a clean lens. I also have UV filters on all my lenses as well. I prefer to shoot wildlife free-handed, without a tripod. It gives me the freedom to move quickly and turn quickly and to also follow the subject with my panning.Feedback
Some of my best wildlife shots are like fishing - position myself and wait - patience and eventually something will come into your line of view. I lucked out and this eagle came in for a landing. I positioned myself in such a way that if an eagle did land, I would have the best position for lighting to enhance the eagle. The sunlight was behind me and to my left, mid-day sun. I shot free-handed (no tripod) and had my camera set on continuous shooting with my ISO at 400 because eagles move quickly. But honestly, I was just at the right place and time for this shot and all the elements worked in my favour for this shot. Serendipity and Mother Nature make for great photos!
