Matt, this is beautiful and I am glad you climbed the hill to get this perspective. For me the image is just a tad overexposed, I might try to move the exposure left slightly and maybe try to selectively, lightly adjust the shadows on the bird's left shoulder and the back of the head. Even as presented, I love this photo. Congrats!
Matt, I have played a bit with your image on my end, trying to do what I suggested and I may be wrong in my comments earlier. If you make an exposure adjustment to the left, the face of the subject becomes a bit "muddy". I think I like it better the way you presented it in the OP. Again, a beautiful shot.
I like the setting and the view we have in this image. The only thing that I would consider doing (and it's minor and not sure if you like doing this to your images) is to remove the branch running through it's head. Don't get me wrong....I would love to have been there alongside of you for an image with a view like this.
Hi Matt, this is beautiful, when I picture a Bald Eagle in my mind this is extremely close to it. Fantastic background and love the old tree he is sitting on. I hope you do not mind I did a quick removal of the limb just to see what it would look like...wow. If it was mind and close to full frame it would be on my wall in my office.
Your efforts paid off. Wonderful composition - forest, mountains, sky...very cool. I do wish the branch touching his head wasn't there. Light doesn't look harsh to me...perhaps it is the light angle, which is coming from the left, that is playing tricks with some shade on the right part of the eagle.
This is the shot everyone dreams of taking - a beautiful bird, master of its environment and what an environment - well done.
My only comment, not a criticism, is the second higher branch to the right of the head - I guess it would be almost impossible to remove it, but as it is, is how nature decided to let you see it. May I ask what the distance to the subject was and crop % ?
Great capture though!