Bald Eagle

[Ed Miller]

This is my first post of 2008. Weather this morning was around zero with hazy sun - perfect for eagles.
1D Mark IIN, 500is, ISO 400, f7.1, 1/2000, manual exposure
Local capture.

[Fabs Forns]

Big welcome, Ed

Great first post and good techs.

Killer pose captured and to push a little since obviously you know a thing or two about bird photog, only wish for the talons to be in the clear.

Having said that, I don't have one half as good ;)

[Maxis Gamez]

Hello Ed and welcome!

What a lovely image you have here. The wings, composition, exposure and details are on the money. I wish not to see the tag but nothing you can do about it.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Great timing, Ed. I also wish to see the talons better and I find the band distracting.

[Ivan Miksik]

It's really excellent image - timing is great!

[DanWalters]

Nice flight shot. I really like how you caught the eagle in the perfect moment.

[James Salywoda]

Outstanding shot great landing pose love the intent look on the Eagle...

[Robert La Follette]

Ed,

Being one that has tried to get a shot like this myself, I can really appreciate your timing combined with skill to capture this. I give it a thumbs up!

-robert.

[Jack Rogers]

Great timing on the landing shot Ed. You're right about the soft light too. Gave you nice detail in both light and dark plumage. To be ultra-picky, I agree about the leg band, but didn't even notice it until I really began to scrutinize the shot. To be more to the point, I love this image.

Jack

[Jody Melanson]

Very nice Ed and welcome to BPN! Your image was captured right at the perfect time. It does however have a slight blue/gray color cast to it. This is how I fixed it:

1. Duplicate the background layer (Ctrl J)
2. Select the duplicate backkground layer
3. Click on Filter, then Blur, then Average (this will make this layer into a solid color which matches the color cast)
4. Open a Levels Adjustment Layer, click on middle (set gray) eyedropper and click the dropper on the duplicate background layer.
5. Deselect the layer visibility icon (eyeball) of the duplicate background layer
6. Adjustment the Levels Layer opacity until it looks good

http://jmelanson.smugmug.com/photos/239358217-O.jpg