Bateleur Eagle ( juvie )

[Stu Bowie]

There's quite a story to this shot. I had stopped along a stretch of road in the Kruger National Park to take some shots of an adult Bateleur eagle that was feeding on a Francolin,
( right of the frame ) Whilst leaning out my car window taking shots, I noticed another bird very high in the sky. It started to circle, and then I realised it was getting closer. When
I realised it was coming in, I aimed through the tree, and as it came into my viewfinder, I fired a burst. It actually attacked the adult Bateleur for the food. What amazes me is how
these birds can see so far, and the feeding Bateleur was under the cover of a tree. Once again, very overcast conditions. Removed a few bits of foliage URC. Due to this all happening
in a tree, and overcast, I had to compensate quite a bit, and still needed to recover in pp. I was lucky to get this in the open between two tree branches.

Canon 1D Mark 1V
Canon 300mm F/2.8
1/2500
F/6.3
ISO 800

Exp comp +1.0
hand held from my car

[dankearl]

That is a funky looking juvie.
Not one of your best IQ wise, but still very interesting and a nice story.

[Vivaldo Damilano]

Cool frame Stu. Great story, like the birds pose and detail, nicely done.

[Doug Brown]

The wing spread, talons, and eye contact are excellent. I might brighten the bird a little more, as the high-key BG makes it seem darker than it really is.

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

Yes very rough looking little one indeed! Great incoming pose and considering the conditions a great shot

[MohsenVahedipour]

Very nice shot Stu. I like the composition & wing spread. Sharp & very well exposed against the bright sky. TFS

[Dan Busby]

Excellent narrative Stuart. Great little juvi with attitude. Love those feet. Head might be a tad dark but when you really look at it it all comes together.

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks a stack for the feedback everyone. Here is a version with the juvie a little lighter through out.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Nice story to go along with the image. I love the incoming pose and the bit of green vegetation in upper left really add a lot. I'd crop from bottom to about halfway up the lower branch. I'm wondering what caused all the jaggies along the edges of the subject and branches...did you resize the same way as usual?

[Stu Bowie]

I'm wondering what caused all the jaggies along the edges of the subject and branches...did you resize the same way as usual?

Thanks Dan. I resized as I always do. It could be the feathering of the edges being a bit 'tight' when sharpening. Good suggestion on the crop. This was actually FF, and didnt think of 'cropping ' anything away. Cheers.

[David Salem]

Great work and some good luck Stuart. I like the pose and the look of the eagle coming in. The repost adds some more light and detail to this cool capture. Imagine if you had some good light. Well done