Juvenile Verreauxs Eagle

[Chris van Rooyen]

This is a wild bird. The image was created at a quarry in the Western Cape where a pair of this spectacular species is breeding. The juvenile unexpectedly popped over the edge of the quarry almost under my feet! I managed to squeeze off a few images before it flew off to join the parents in the air. One of my greatest moments ever in bird photography...seeing this bird (the size of a Golden Eagle) close-up was breathtaking:cool:

Camera Model: NIKON D3S
Date/Time: 2010:11:23 18:02:43
Shutter speed: 1/2000 sec
Aperture: 7.1
Exposure mode: Manual
Exposure compensation: -1/3
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 450
Lens: 600mm with 1.4TC
Focal length: 850mm

[Ken Watkins]

Chris,

What a joy to have been there and seen this, is this full frame?

Beautiful image BTW.

[Chris van Rooyen]

Thanks Ken, about 70% frame

[Allen Sparks]

And this image is breathtaking! Needless to say love the details, exposure, etc. Congrats on such a great shot and experience.

[Dan Avelon]

WOW! excellent!

[Gary Hamilton]

Judging from your EXIF data, it looks like you were able to quickly dial in the proper exposure during this brief but wonderful moment. Gorgeous image--beautiful details, sharpness, composition and pose--could not ask for more. Extremely well done. Cheers.

[Kiran Poonacha]

Its a beauty, I really love the look back pose.. great looking eagle indeed.. loved it

[Stu Bowie]

Great IQ Chris, and you have exposed the very well. I like the light, detail and colours, and overall nice and sharp. Super pose and HA too.

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Fantastic portrait, Chris. Love the sharpness, colors, bg and the lookback pose. This is one good looking eagle.

[Mital Patel]

bow to you on this one. what a mind blowing portrait this is

[Doug Brown]

Sounds like a thrilling encounter, and you made the most of it with a fine image!

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Chris, this is one handsome bird. Loved the look-back pose and the details. Light's gorgeous as it always is in most of your shots. Thx for sharing. This is how a head shot should be.

[Pieter de Waal]

Hi Chris all has been said about this beautiful image. Just love how you managed the colour variation in the plumage.

[Bhushan Dalvi]

Awesome portrait Chris. A very handsome bird capture in all its beauty.TFS.

[Wynand van Wyk]

Amazing portrait! Such a stunning bird and image!:)

[Chris van Rooyen]

Thanks for the comments guys!