Bald Eagle eyelid??

[Blake Cook]

I've never seen this on a Bald Eagle's eye before. Is it another eyelid?

[Bonnie Block]

Yes, that is its third eyelid, Blake. It comes across the quite often. I am sure it is protection for the eye when diving for and dealing with prey.

[Dan Brown]

This is called the "nictitating membrane" I think that most, if not all birds have this. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nictitating_membrane

[Satish Ranadive]

Beautiful portrait with nice colors and lights.I like the Eye through the nictitating membrane.
Very nice composition.

Regards,
Satish.

[Blake Cook]

Thanks for the info, all. I don't photograph birds all that often and have never seen it before.

One thing that amazes me here is the detail many photographers manage to get in their photos. This was fairly close on a tripod at a decent SS and there is very little feather detail even at full resolution compared to the norm here. In fact many get better detail in BIF.

1Dx, 600mm f/4 IS MkII, f/6.3, 1/1000, ISO 320 (tripod w/ gimbal)

[Marina Scarr]

Hi Blake: I think if you post a few more of your images and ask for advice on how to acquire better details, you will get a lot of good advice. Explain what you are doing and your equipment and settings, and we will all help to get you there!