Eagle eye.

[dankearl]

D500, 500mm (300 w/1.7), f5, 1/2000, iso1250
DSC_6744bp.jpg

John Mack asked the other day whether these Eagles I post are baited?
No, they are a nesting pair that raise chicks every year in a small urban pond.
That said, since they are not baited, I spend an enormous amount of time getting these shots
as Eagles are really frustrating subjects.
They perch all day and fly to the water at any time on their own time.
That means dawn, dusk, or 3 in the afternoon.
I earn these photos with the time I spend.

[Dorian Anderson]

****, that's a killer look. Love the near underwing, but the far top wing looks a bit washed out (though lighting conditions probably caused that). Biggest issue I have is how crowded he is in the frame. I'd pull way back if you have the space below. LOvely background separation regardless.

[Alex Becker]

Sweet pose and BG. Sounds like a great spot you have, and hear you on the eagles. I tried a local lake quite often hoping for an in flight shot that never panned out, and then saw my friend post an iPhone video of one coming into fish right in front of him, go figure. I see some noise on the far wing that could be dealt with, and the top of the head and tail look hot. It might be possible to recover them back at the RAW. It's a great pose so I think worth having another look at. Ditto Dorian re: giving the bird more room if you have it. TFS

[gail bisson]

Very nice Da.
Do you have more room at the bottom. It feels really tight there.
All looks good except top of head is blown.
Fearher in the beak is a fun addition to the image. Great Bg as well.
Gail

[Moe Richard]

Colors and processing look really good to me. But I do think the crop to be a little less tight.

[John Mack]

Thanks for answering my question. Sounds like the eagles in my neck of the woods. The flight pose is great and i like the feather in the beak. Another vote for more room below. The bird is nice and sharp.

[arash_hazeghi]

excellent pose and HA Dan, give it more room and tame those whites and you will have a killer frame

[Mervyn Marsh]

Nice, such a cool eagle, well done.