American Bald Eagle
I saw this eagle before I started to walk down the pier towards him with my camera ready as I knew he would eventually fly off when I got too close and this was...
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I saw this eagle before I started to walk down the pier towards him with my camera ready as I knew he would eventually fly off when I got too close and this was about as close as he was going to let me get. Such a regal bird with those piercing eyes
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May, 2017Views
432
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Awards
Contest Finalist in Majestic Eagles Photo Contest
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Outstanding Creativity
Magnificent Capture
All Star
Top Ranks
Top 30 rank week 1
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rank
Top 30 rank
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in Ketchikan, Alaska. I had seen the American Bald Eagle flying overhead and began to follow the eagle. I was walking along the shoreline and approached the start of the pier where the eagle had landed. I had my camera ready and slowly and quietly made my way along the pier with the eagle keeping an "eagle" eye on me. I took numerous shots as I inched my way closer knowing that at some point the eagle would deem me too close and take flight.Time
This shot was taken around mid-morning where the sun was not high in the sky but provided nice lighting of the eagle, I had the sun behind me which was good. The sun provided good definition of the eagle's eyes as he kept a close watch on me.Lighting
I was lucky that the sunlight was behind me and was front lighting the eagle so that his features were highlighted. The background was mainly of the water so provided a nice contrast of the brown and white of the eagle against the blue shades of the water.Equipment
This was shot on a Canon 50D using a 70mm-200mm lens f5.6 ISO 200 shutter 1/1000. I hand held the camera and no tripod or other equipment was used.Inspiration
I love trying to capture wildlife in all its forms and beauty and there is something so majestic and regal about the American Bold Eagle from its stature and their super intelligent eyes. I love watching eagles circle above and try to capture that freedom. It's a balance of taking time to just observe wildlife and wanting to take photos to capture some of that. I was lucky that this eagle allowed me to come quite close to him without feeling threatened. I like to think that I am not considered a threat and just someone merely wanting the privilege to observe.Editing
I don't use any software like Lightroom and don't do any post processing other than maybe some cropping or adjusting the exposure if the photo is a little dark.In my camera bag
Since this photo was taken I now have two Canon camera bodies so that I don't need to change lenses when out in the field. I have a Canon 5D Mk 111 body and a 100mm-400mm lens that I just love for capturing wildlife. I have a 24mm-70mm lens that I use for more general photography like landscapes. I am not very technical at all!Feedback
Patience and time is what I have found you need bucket loads of when trying to capture wildlife! Birds in particular are very challenging as they don't stay still!!
