This is 1 of 8 shots of this magnificent Bald Eagle at the Rocky Mountain Raptor Rehab center in Fort Collins. I really love how her gaze is attentive. The wate...
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This is 1 of 8 shots of this magnificent Bald Eagle at the Rocky Mountain Raptor Rehab center in Fort Collins. I really love how her gaze is attentive. The water droplets are from being sprayed with water to keep her cool, but it adds a lot of character to the photo.
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Awards
Chatter Award
Zenith Award
People's Choice in Close up of a Bald Eagle Photo Challenge
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Peer Award
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
Magnificent Capture
Jaw Dropping
Superior Skill
Top Class Lighting
Great Find
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ToddGrivettiPhotography
August 19, 2017
Thank you all. Means the world to me. Cheers and Happy Shooting. Keep those cameras ready.
ToddGrivettiPhotography
March 26, 2020
Thank you for the recognition @animalartist and @mikestals. Greatly appreciate and honored.
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
This young lady is living at the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program in Fort Collins, CO and is one of the Program's Ambassadors.Time
This was taken just a little after noon in mid January 2014. The staff had brought her out to work with her and they allowed me to take several frames.Lighting
Nothing spectacular about the lighting. Being it was just a little after noon, the sun was not too high being it was winter. We were in some shadows. I really did not want to have full sun on this shot, so the shadows did help mute the sunlight.Equipment
This was shot with a Canon EOS T3 1100D crop sensor camera, and used my Canon 75-300 mm Supersonic telephoto lens. No flash or tripod were used. The distance was at 300 mm.Inspiration
With my passion being Wildlife and landscape photography, I had heard of the Raptor Program and wanted to spend some time there capturing these raptors. This was a very special treat considering her story. Unfortunately, she came to the RMRP through tragic and illegal circumstance. A poacher brought her out of the skies when she was less than two years old. Found along the North Platte River near Scottsbluff, NE, in July of 1996, she was admitted to Riverside Zoo, and then transferred to the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program. She sustained an open chest wound, fractures in her left elbow which has prevented her from flying. She is a beautiful bird and true testament to survival and freedom.Editing
I did do some post-production processing. Cropped the frame and then created a border for the shot. I use Google's Picasa. I find it works well and has features other's have, and it's simple to use. I try not to do a lot of post-production work if possible, other than cropping and framing and adding copyright.In my camera bag
My bag is usually consists of - Camera; Canon EOS T3, Canon 18-55 mm, Canon 75-300 mm, Canon 50 mm, and a Tamron 150 - 600 mm lens. I have two small tripods for shots if I want to take from the car and an Albinar tripod. Not the best, but it does the job. I also have a variety of filters including UV, CPL, and ND filters for all of my lenses. I have a camera poncho for those raining days and that really helps. I also carry a shutter release cable for low light shots or where lens stability is crucial to capture the moment without camera shake as well as multiple cleaning equipment (brushes, bulb blower, lens tissues and cleaning solutions as well as cleaning equipment for the sensor to remove dust particles. On occasion, I will rent a lens from a local dealer and this really makes it handy to get good shots, without the expense of buying a new lens.Feedback
I believe you have to have a mindset that not every time you go to shoot, you will come away with the "shot". Some days you get lucky and others you may have to do a little more waiting. You definitely have to love the subject matter and shoot what you enjoy. There are many wildlife rehab organizations around and these habitats are as natural as they can make them. If you believe in the cause, volunteer and get to know the staff and learn what you can. Time of day is always a factor, just as the weather is. I don't like to shoot in the bright light of day, but do look for opportunities to use shade and shadows as well as predawn hours/sunrise or sunset. Definitely do your research first. Know the hours and locations. Test a few shots before hand to see which ISO, f/stop, and exposure will be the best for your subject.