Idaho Eagles
Taken near Lake Coeur d'Alene, Idaho on December 10, 2016 - a bald eagle adult and fledgling share a perch atop a snag, pausing in their fishing activities...
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Taken near Lake Coeur d'Alene, Idaho on December 10, 2016 - a bald eagle adult and fledgling share a perch atop a snag, pausing in their fishing activities.
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Dec, 2016Views
1831
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Awards
Contest Finalist in Majestic Eagles Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Just Eagles Photo Contest
Featured
Contest Finalist in Wildlife In The Snow Photo Contest
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Magnificent Capture
Outstanding Creativity
Superior Skill
Virtuoso
Emotions
Impressed
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Top 30 rank week 1
Top 30 rank week 2Top 20 rank week 1
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
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Behind The Lens
Location
This is my first capture of bald eagles. They were congregating around the eastern shore of Lake Coeur d'Alene in north Idaho, around 90 minutes from my home. Mature adults have the familiar white head feathers, whereas the feathers of a fledgling are all the same color. This pair, perched atop a snag along the shore, were keeping their eyes peeled for prey. Not wanting to miss capturing the moment, I left the tripod in the trunk and leaned against the car to take the shot.Time
It had been snowing; the sky was still pretty gray when we arrived in the late afternoon. It was also bitingly cold, so we weren't prepared to spend a great deal of time exposed to the elements.Lighting
I set the ISO rather high (640) because of the low, diffused light.Equipment
The images was taken with a Nikon D300 with a Sigma 150-600mm telephoto lens. No tripod.Inspiration
I've wanted to shoot eagles for some time, knowing that they often congregate at Lake Coeur d'Alene for a few weeks in the winter. I couldn't have asked for a better natural composition, the juxtaposition of the fledgling and adult sitting atop the snag looking for prey.Editing
Minimal post-processing, if any.In my camera bag
I alternate between Nikon D300 and D7000 bodies, using a variety of lenses ranging from a 10-20mm wide-angle zoom to the telephoto referenced above. My favorite and most often used lens is the Nikon 70-200 f2.8, although lately I've been doing a lot of shooting with their basic 50mm prime lens, which I acquired only recently. It reminds me of how much I enjoyed my first "real" camera, a Minolta XE-7 SLR with its 50mm kit lens; this was my workhorse for 30 years, before I finally made the move to digital photography.Feedback
Wear warm clothing, gloves, and footwear if you're going to be spending hours out in weather like this!
