Results 1 to 19 of 19

Thread: Bald Eagle in a Snow Squall

  1. #1
    Danny J Brown
    Guest

    Default Bald Eagle in a Snow Squall

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    I spent the day in the bitter cold photographing eagles along the Mississippi River in Clarksville, Missouri yesterday. I captured a lot of nice close-ups (eye pupils, leg scales, etc.) but I liked the feel of this image more than the others. I noticed that all of the snow shots show a droplet of water on the eagle's beak so I left it in.

    P.S. The whites are what they are.

    Canon EOS40D; Canon 500/4L w/1.4TC; 1/800; f/5.6; ISO 400; GitzoGT3530LS w/Wimberley II; (Significant Crop).

  2. #2
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Albuquerque, NM
    Posts
    438
    Threads
    55
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I like this very much. The snow adds a lot to the image. Exposure on the whites is a bit hot, but it doesn't draw me away. There is a very bright snow flake right at the tip of the beak that does draw me. I'd clone that one out. Really cool image. (no pun intended!!)

  3. #3
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Chesapeake, Virginia
    Posts
    438
    Threads
    80
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I like this a lot as well...something you don't see posted very often. I agree that the water drop adds to the image and definately the snow.

  4. #4
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Kentucky
    Posts
    1,050
    Threads
    363
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    The BG colors, snow and just a little lost detail in the bird all combine to give this a lovely soft painterly feel. Very nice indeed.

  5. #5
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Holland
    Posts
    260
    Threads
    83
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Very nice shot from this eagle. The snow is a plus too make it a nice foto too look at.

    I think there is a little too much suration in this picture when I looking at his head.

    Willem

  6. #6
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Cleveland
    Posts
    470
    Threads
    17
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    COOOOOOL shot Danny! I'd back off the contrast as it seems overdone for winter near white conditions. I think the water drop should maybe go too. Hey sure looks like a great time down at the river. I have relatives that live in Louisiana MO. if you know where that is.

    Paul

  7. #7
    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    SW Michigan
    Posts
    14,112
    Threads
    820
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Danny:

    Feels cold, strong environmental feel here.

    Using some of the thoughts expressed above, I made a small adjustment on the bird.

    curves and contrast both adjusted on the bird, with masks and low opacity brush to open up the shadows and show some more detail on the wings and body.

    Pretty subtle, but I think its a modest improvement.

    Makes me want to go home to Iowa to shoot the eagles on the river.

    Randy

  8. #8
    Danny J Brown
    Guest

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Randy Stout View Post
    Danny:

    Feels cold, strong environmental feel here.

    Using some of the thoughts expressed above, I made a small adjustment on the bird.

    curves and contrast both adjusted on the bird, with masks and low opacity brush to open up the shadows and show some more detail on the wings and body.

    Pretty subtle, but I think its a modest improvement.

    Makes me want to go home to Iowa to shoot the eagles on the river.

    Randy
    Hey Randy - If the image makes you long for Mississippi River eagle shooting then I consider it a success!!:) They are really moving in with all of this cold weather and ice. I expect 300 - 400 at Lock and Dam 24 by next weekend.

  9. #9
    Danny J Brown
    Guest

    Default

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Quote Originally Posted by paul leverington View Post
    COOOOOOL shot Danny! I'd back off the contrast as it seems overdone for winter near white conditions. I think the water drop should maybe go too. Hey sure looks like a great time down at the river. I have relatives that live in Louisiana MO. if you know where that is.

    Paul

    Hey Paul - I started out with less contrast but one of my buddies thought it needed to pop a wee bit more. I'm familiar with Louisiana and all of the other towns in the area. As a fisheries biologist I work on the Missouri and Mississippi in East Central Missouri. Attached is a photo of our crew with the first ever pallid sturgeon caught on the Pooled Miss above St. Louis. They are federally endangered and we have been searching for them. This one now has a transmitter in its belly. Photo is from right before Christmas. Taken with little point and shoot in rocky boat. Note to Moderators: Sorry for the break in protocol.

  10. #10
    Lifetime Member James Salywoda's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    H. Bch. California
    Posts
    2,860
    Threads
    315
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Well Done Danny! I really like the falling snow and the wing position on this Eagle... Excellent Shot it looks pretty sharp to me also.:)

  11. #11
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Newton MA, USA
    Posts
    1,956
    Threads
    144
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Great one. I like it a lot. The snow really adds a lot to the scene.
    Other than said above I might crop a bit from the bottom.
    Congrats!

  12. #12
    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Centurion, South Africa
    Posts
    21,360
    Threads
    1,435
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hey Danny, you are passionate to go out in those conditions. I like the setting with the falling snow, and good placement of the eagle in the frame. Well captured.

  13. #13
    Lifetime Member Marc Mol's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Somewhere else in the World
    Posts
    4,797
    Threads
    708
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Very nice image Danny, like this a lot, all credit to you for sticking it out in that weather. Your patience was well rewarded.
    Well I'm not a fisheries Biologist, but a keen fisherman though, practicing catch & release!:D
    BTW it's a sunny 87deg's here in Sydney, heading out fishing in the harbor this week.;)


  14. #14
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    14,858
    Threads
    1,235
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    this is an exceptional photo Danny! wow. so moody with great details for the conditions.
    wish it was mine.
    Morkel Erasmus

    WEBSITE


  15. #15
    Danny J Brown
    Guest

    Default

    A big thank you to everybody for comments and suggestions on the eagle image. Take care.

  16. #16
    Lifetime Member Doug Brown's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Albuquerque, NM
    Posts
    11,879
    Threads
    917
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I particularly like the fact that you didn't crop in tighter on the bird. Very nice image!
    Upcoming Workshops: Bosque del Apache 2019, Ecuador 2020 (details coming soon)
    Website -
    Facebook - 500px

  17. #17
    david cramer
    Guest

    Default

    A beautiful environmental shot, Danny. Nice wing position and eye contact. Randy's repost is a nudge in the right direction.

  18. #18
    Danny J Brown
    Guest

    Default

    Thanks Doug and David.

  19. #19
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    San Francisco Bay Area
    Posts
    56
    Threads
    8
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Nice image Danny. I like the falling snow and the icicle on the beak. I've seen a lot of eagles in Alaska with icicles on their beaks.

    Where is Lock and Dam #24?

    Jim Coda
    www.jimcoda.com

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics