Bald Eagle near Thompson Falls, Idaho
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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NIKON D850
Aperture f/2.8 ISO 100 Shutter 1/1600 Focal Length 200/1 
Thompson Falls, Montana, US
Sep, 2018Views
2575
Likes
Awards
Zenith Award
Top Shot Award 22
Legendary Award
Contest Finalist in Animals With Wings Photo Contest
Celebrity Award
Contest Finalist in Endangered Species Photo Contest
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Outstanding Creativity
Magnificent Capture
Superior Skill
All Star
Genius
Emotions
Impressed
Happy
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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.
