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Thread: Verreaux's Eagle

  1. #1
    IOTY Winner 2008 Chris van Rooyen's Avatar
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    Default Verreaux's Eagle

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    I decided this morning to try and get a few images of the only pair of Verreaux's Eagles breeding in Johannesburg. I waited weeks for the right weather - overcast conditions, otherwise the images are too contrasty. I got their at eight o'clock hot and sweaty after a stiff walk up the hill. Then the wait started. Finally, after an hour and a half the one bird took off from the cliff and disappeared over the hill. The wait continued. Then its started raining, for the third time that morning - I got wet (again) and worried about my gear. And still I waited. By 11 o'clock I was wet, cold and hungry. The birds were nowhere to be seen. Finally one appeared, flying strongly, mobbed by about fifteen crows. It wheeled about and landed on the other side of the cliff on a tree. I waited. And waited. Almost an hour passed when it took of driftly slowly closer, I prayed for it to dip behind the horizon, away from the grey sky. It did. It drifted closer and banked. I had less than a second to fire a burst. I got five images, one with eye contact (this image). He drifted away. I waited another hour, then gave up packed my stuff and started the walk down.

    Was it worth it? You bet:D:D I'm going back on Sunday

    Bird photographers are crazy...;)

    Camera Model: NIKON D3
    Date/Time: 2008:05:01 116:15
    Shutter speed: 1/1600 sec
    Aperture: 4.5
    Exposure mode: Tv
    Flash: Off
    Metering mode: Multi-segment (no compensation)
    ISO: 800
    Lens: 200 to 400mm (hand-held)
    Focal length: 400mm
    Focal length: 400mm (in 35mm film)

  2. #2
    Dave Barnes
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    Love the detail and pose Chris. Super shot, well worth the trouble.

  3. #3
    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Eye contact and wingspread at their best Chris. Outstanding exposure from the underwing, and lovely detail throughout. Congrats.

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    BPN Member Tony Whitehead's Avatar
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    Great reward for all that effort, Chris. Well done.
    Tony Whitehead
    Visit my blog at WildLight Photography for latest news and images.

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    As usual, stunning! Great pose, exposure, detail, comp, BG, colors and sharpness! Just congratulations Chris!

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    Chris.

    You are very right about ''bird photographers are crazy''

    I can see that all that waiting paid off.

    Today you present us a wonderful bird with a lovely BG.

    A job well done.

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    Great bird, great story,
    I'm quite stunned by the pose,
    underparts plus great HA, simple and excellent.

    You are producing simply amazing raptor flight images.
    Not an easy task. It is very informative to hear how the
    image was taken. Thanks for that, truly appreciated...

  8. #8
    Axel Hildebrandt
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    I like the soft light, pose and BG, well worth the effort. Maybe a little more sharpening of the body and wings?

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    Another fine one, Chris !

    Sharp and good pose !!

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    Glad you waited!
    Excellent pose, comp, and background!
    Eye contact puts it over the top for me.

    Congrats!

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    Congrats, Chris. Your images are becoming my favorite on this forum. I love the pose and the BG with the environment. Thanks for posting.

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    Very Very Nice!!! As expected the techs look great. Combined with a pleasing composition, pose, and colors; you have another winner. Thanks for sharing.

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    Patience well rewarded - wonderful pose, plumage detail and eye contact - lovely background too.

  14. #14
    Lifetime Member Jay Gould's Avatar
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    "I decided this morning to try and get a few images of the only pair of Verreaux's Eagles breeding in Johannesburg. I waited weeks for the right weather - overcast conditions, otherwise the images are too contrasty. I got their at eight o'clock hot and sweaty after a stiff walk up the hill. Then the wait started. Finally, after an hour and a half the one bird took off from the cliff and disappeared over the hill. The wait continued. Then its started raining, for the third time that morning - I got wet (again) and worried about my gear. And still I waited. By 11 o'clock I was wet, cold and hungry. The birds were nowhere to be seen. Finally one appeared, flying strongly, mobbed by about fifteen crows. It wheeled about and landed on the other side of the cliff on a tree. I waited. And waited. Almost an hour passed when it took of driftly slowly closer, I prayed for it to dip behind the horizon, away from the grey sky. It did. It drifted closer and banked. I had less than a second to fire a burst. I got five images, one with eye contact (this image). He drifted away. I waited another hour, then gave up packed my stuff and started the walk down."

    Chris, James Shandle started a thread (I can't find it!) about what was required to be a one in a million photographer and raised the question about dedication to achieving that goal.

    Your description of what you did to obtain this image clearly exemplifies what James was talking about.

    Your image shows you have achieved that goal.

    Lovely image; lovely bird, Jay

  15. #15
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    Very nice Chris and yes, definately worth the effort !! May have to make that climb up to that cliff tomorrow as well, since I have never shot these guys before and I live less than 10 minutes away ! Glorious wingspread and wonderful light allowing the blacks to show through nicely. Very well done. PS: Thanks for the course today - can always learn something from you. Cheers !!

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    Superb job Chris, as always :-)

  17. #17
    IOTY Winner 2008 Chris van Rooyen's Avatar
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    Thanks for all the comments guys, much appreciated. Glad you enjoyed the lecture Vic:-) You must get to the eagles this weekend while it is overcast, perfect conditions to retain details in the blacks.

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    Great shot Chris well done. Like the comp and pp work.
    I guess its from walter.
    There is another pair I know of in Johannesburg Chris. Walter is not the only ones.

  19. #19
    IOTY Winner 2008 Chris van Rooyen's Avatar
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    Thanks for comments Kobus. You are indeed correct about another pair. Unfortunately they are not accessible for photography:-( I guess that's why I forgot about them:-)

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    Another great image Chris, suitable reward for your soaking! Great exposure and eye contact, I love the pose. Amazing how one second can be the making or breaking of a days photography.

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