Spring is in the air

[Steve Large]

Hi Everyone,
Well, I guess spring has arrived here on the west coast. The eagles are starting to pair up again in Nanaimo. Here is a picture of the old mating couple at Neck Point. As you can see they are ejoying a break in the early spring sun with their mouths open in a high pitched screem of joy for the new season. This is about a 50% crop taken at a distance of around 240 feet.

Stats: Canon 50D, Canon 500mm with 1.4X, ISO 800, taken at 1/2500 sec, F/8, -2/3 of a stop EC .

Thanks in advance for your comments,

Steve

P.S. - Can you tell which is the male and which is the female?

[Tony Whitehead]

This is a challenging situation, Steve. The -EC has helped prevent blowing most of the white in the harsh light but has left the shaded brown feathers underexposed. The image looks a little flat and can be helped by setting a black point and opening up the mid tones a little. Impressive birds.

[Steve Large]

This is a challenging situation, Steve. The -EC has helped prevent blowing most of the white in the harsh light but has left the shaded brown feathers underexposed. The image looks a little flat and can be helped by setting a black point and opening up the mid tones a little. Impressive birds.

Hi Tony,
Thanks for your comments. It was a real challenge to try to get the exposure right in the harsh early spring sun. Here is another shot. Still a bit harsh but it shows more detail. Taken from a different angle of light with the sun more at my back at about 150 feet away.

Thanks,

Steve

[Randy Stout]

Steve:

I am assuming the male is the smaller bird in front.

The second shot has a better exposure balance to my eye, but the angle is even steeper than the first, so a bit of an issue.

Magnificent birds.

Cheers

Randy

[Steve Large]

Steve:

I am assuming the male is the smaller bird in front.

The second shot has a better exposure balance to my eye, but the angle is even steeper than the first, so a bit of an issue.

Magnificent birds.

Cheers

Randy

Hi Randy,
Thanks for commenting. That is correct. The male is the smaller bird in front. You know your eagles.

Take care,

Steve