Wedge-tailed Eagle youngster

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

I have a pair of these large eagles nesting not far from home, but I am yet to find their nest. They are tricky and secretive.
This is their offspring from 2013. Young wedgies (as we affectionately call them) have a lot of light patches and their plumage becomes darker with age.
Often the youngsters are much more approachable when perched than mom or dad.
I found this babe on a dull spring day. Nothing I could do about the poor light, except be grateful I spent about two hours with him/her and its mom getting some reasonable images.

Canon EOS 1DMkIII, 500/4L IS USM + 2x, manual mode, ISO1600, f/11, 1/160th, hand held, almost full frame.

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Akos very nice IQ for the given techs , you must be somehow very steady .
I like the overall presentation with a nice tonal range and good details .BG a bit busy but not much you could do with it .
TFS Andreas

[keith mitchell]

Akos have only seen these magnificent birds in flight on my trips to your country would love to see one like this, great pose with that fixed stare a very fine shot .

Keith.

[Robert Kimbrell]

I really like the image Akos, The head back, head on stare really makes it for me. I like the processing, it seems to minimize the buys background. How great to have these living close to you. close to you.

[Karl Egressy]

Nice habitat shot of this large Eagle, Akos.

[gail bisson]

Very nice.
The curved neck and direct stare really make this image for me.
I love the clear view of the talons as well.
I am OK with the BG and really like the way the tree trunks create some nice lines,
IQ excellent with good techs.
Gail

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Thanks for your comments everyone. I would make sure of a lovely smooth background if possible, or with a set-up image. Unfortunately, I am unsure how long the pair will stay in the area, as local government keeps approving more and more development in the open plains areas so their hunting territory (which is very large as is) will become smaller and smaller.

Andreas, lots of practice makes for sharp images using the combo hand held. :) I rarely use a tripod.

[William Dickson]

Fantastic eye contact pose Akos. Beautiful details and a very natural looking setting. Great looking frame. Good work and thanks for sharing

Will

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the pose, eye contact, details, sharpness and composition. I like the sense of place created by the BG. Excellent image Akos!

[Daniel Cadieux]

Quite a fun pose, and that stare is too precious! I love the heavy forest fell here. An excellent image with good sharpeness and muted light. If anything, if you have it, I'd give the canvas a bit more at left to give a bit more room for the tree. Nicely done!

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Mate, killer eye contact here, and how is that twisted pose. Those look like pretty large feet/talons, and although the surrounding foliage is fairly busy, you have managed to separate the Eagle nicely.