Breeding Pair Eagles Singing the Chorus

Bald Eagles are a rare sight in Southern California, but this breeding pair has chose to build a nest here in the local mountain. It's 3 hour drive from me, so it's a hit or miss with the weather, Today it was overcast for the most part with the sun trying to shine thru cloud. So, not ideal lighting, but i was happy to be on the lake by myself on a small row boat observing this breeding pair of eagles. They mated and then flew off to this tree where both of them were singing as if to say to the world that they will have another successful year. I struggled with the crop, not wanting to include the ugly grey sky. Appreciate to hear your comments and suggestions.

1DX
500f4 II + 2X III
tripod mounted on a rocking boat (but no wave, in shallow water)
1/1600
f8
ISO-1600

I will come back here in a month when they have chicks, so really appreciate your comments. The lighting is difficult. The nest is on the South side of the lake facing North, so the conditions are similar here. There is no other possible approach except on a boat from the North side and the distance may be 150 - 200 yards. We are not allowed to get off the boat.

Thank you

Loi

Loi, What difficult conditions, and extraordinary effort on your part. I love the mood of your image, the colors of the environment, and of course the eagles. Not sure if your crop will hold up, but this image is screaming to be a vertical to my eyes, or maybe even almost square. What do you think?

I agree with Grace on this image looking more like a vertical but wonder whether you have the extra space you would need for that. I do note the trees seem to be tilting a bit to the left so some rotation may be in order. Good for you for finding this opportunity.

Very nice shot.
I really like the enviromental shot, two great poses, and nice light.
Well done.

Nice going for this and the photo looks worth it.
I think Horizontal would still look nice with a crop right past the sharp
branches on the bottom right and the oof tree cloned out.

I wish I had more interesting sky to show in a vertical format. I feel the vertical is a bit too tight with two of the prominent trees going vertical, but here it is. Later when I have a little more time, I will work on it some more as Dan suggested with staying with Horizontal but cloning out he OOF tree. thank you all! This is a place I would come back to again, so learning how to work with the environment is important to me.

The vertical works pretty well for me. I personally find it better focuses on your eagles while still showcasing their environment without it being distracting.

Thank you all, I agree that vertical crop is a better crop to allow the viewers to focus on the eagles while still showing their environment. I'm glad I posted this picture for comemnts.