Osprey & Fish - Seeing Eye to Eye... (graphic)

http://www.peregrineprints.com/NSN/eye2eye.jpg
1DM2n, 600mm + 1.4xTC.. ISO 320, 1/640, F 8.0 - manual mode - 92% of Frame

The harsh mid-day light was starting to be covered by a thick cloud layer, so I grabbed my gear earlier than past (sunny) days and headed out to the beach! (Tigertail beach). Almost right away, I spotted this Osprey eating a fish on top of a metal soccer net. The mesh from the net was white, black and orange - yuck! A bit of quick thinking and I decided to slap on the 1.4xTC and see how close I could get! By slowly moving forwards, I was able to get close to my minimum focus distance and tried to cut out the ugly perch (took a lot less effort than it would have at home ;))

Fired off 500+ shots as the fish was eaten head-first. Part of the face was already gone when I arrived, which was unfortunate, but I worked with it! I have another photo from this series I think I like more, and will probably appear at a future date!

Happy Shooting!

Brandon

Incredible clear detail Brandon. I wish that the talons were included, but understand the constraints you were bound by. So crisp an image. I really like the tight comp! Congrats!

This is WILD!! Great details.... Love it!

Love this powerful image Brandon! No nits from me!

Well you did get some striking details here. Clear clean eye, sharp too. But...it just does not hold my interest. It is way too close up, IMHO. It needs a 1/3rd more rom to capture the shoulders and the talons. And although it is eating a fish, missing the talons, something it uses to hold and tear up the fish, is to critical to crop or cut off. I think this one is one you should have passed by. Just my opinion.

Really like the uplclose look, understand why the talons are missing but its my only nit...

Wow. What an excellent shot.
Very sharp and very detailed.

Sharna

Rare to get this type of close-up action, would have like to see the talons too. Great job.