Black-chested Snake-eagle

[Chris van Rooyen]

I captured this young eagle during my last trip to the Kgalagadi. I'm not too fond of photographing birds against a blue sky, I prefer a coloured background when possible (which is a pretty rare thing with most eagles). However, the Kgalagadi is an exception. The desert sky has a special, deep blue quality, and the strong reflection created by the sandy, dry riverbed ads an almost luminescent quality to images while taking care of any underwing shadows. Comments welcomed as always!

Camera Model: Canon EOS-1D Mark III
Date/Time: 2009:03:10 16:405
Shutter speed: 1/2500 sec
Aperture: 6.3
Exposure mode: Tv
Exposure compensation: +2/3
Flash: Off
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 640
Focal length: 500mm

[Doug Brown]

Great eye contact and underwing detail. I trust your eye, but I'd be tempted to desat the blues just a touch.

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Lovely flight image and the eye looking upward makes this image for me Chris as well as the wonderful wing spread. Thanks for sharing.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Excellent wingspread. I love the sharpness, deep blue sky and the reflections on the underside. Congrats!

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Pose, details and composition look great. I would desaturate a few points.

[Mark Dumbleton]

Great image Chris! Agree on the sand reflection and that is one of my favorite things when photographing birds in the area. Great pose and comp! Well done!