"Sitting on the dock of the Bay" Bald eagle

[gail bisson]

I took this at Glace Bay Harbour.
I was taking images of the ducks when a pair of eagles flew in. They did not go after the ducks and the ducks were not distressed by their presence at all.
This eagle perched on this post 6 feet above the waterline and there were at least 20 ducks within 50 feet of the eagle. No one seemed to care.
I wonder how the ducks know when an eagle is hungry and will try to catch one?
Canon 1DX
600mm with 2X
Shot as vertical and almost FF. Time ~ 6:00PM
SS 1/320@ f 8.0 ISO 1250
Minimal PP: Small crop off the bottom (95% FF), levels, DE at 2% and NR to BG.
Comments and critiques always appreciated and learned from with thanks,
Gail

[Mike Landwehr]

Gail, nice job with the 2x. Those Alaskan eagles are such wonderful subjects! I love the feather detail with the side lighting, and the head turn to look into the light. The subject is nicely positioned in the frame, with a good HA. I would prefer a more uniform background color, but understand at your distance from the subject you couldn't move up or down enough to make much difference. A very majestic capture!

[Daniel Cadieux]

Very majestic indeed, I really like the full set of head feathers on this "bald" eagle. I also like the single claw sticking out. I agree about the BG and I'd prefer a tad more room for the comp...but such a beautiful subject that is nicely presented.

[keith mitchell]

Gail I take the point about it being a bit frame filling, but that apart I think it's excellent.

Keith.

[Joseph Przybyla]

A beauty Gail, what a magnificent bird. You have captured the majesty of the eagle.

[Robert Kimbrell]

Very Majestic, I like that you got good light on his eye, The talon is also a plus, a very nice subject.

[Karl Egressy]

Light, IQ, pose are all superb, Gail. Love the layered feathers.

[Glenn Conlan]

Very nice, I love the way the light shows off the feather etching


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[John Robinson]

Looks good to me Gail
Maybe a little morebspace would be good but no big deal. Love the head turn too- makes the shot for me.
John

[christopher galeski]

very nice image,great detail,nice pose,well done.

[Doug Brown]

A real beauty Gail! A little tight in frame for my taste, but I like the sharpness you got with your 2x.

[dankearl]

He/Shen looks crusty and angry like they always do.
Very nice detail, crop is fine with me, sometimes you need to show those feather details close up.

[gail bisson]

Thank you all for the critiques. I have enclosed another shot with more room around the eagle. I was able to move back about 12 feet and to the left but this included some Bg that I wasn't crazy about.
Gail

[Mervyn Marsh]

Very nice, like the tight crop on this, and I like what you did with the rule of thirds on the back ground. cheers, Merv

[Bret Goddard]

Beautiful Gail.