Mark IV, ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/400, +1.67 ev, 100-400@400. Sharpened, very minor adjustment in curves & some minor snow clean up. Nearly FF—cropped for composition. I heard the eagle grab the flying duck right behind me. I turned around & saw this image.
An unbelievable capture. Very poignant though. It is great that you are able to see the duck's head so well. I would lighten the eagle's eye a bit and take a sliver off RHS. Good techs as well.
Gail
I think you have a fine shot there but to me there appears to be something amiss in the processing or compression. If this is full frame I would have expected greater clarity and detail in the plumage, maybe 1/400 sec was just on the border to deliver sharpness - but I would have thought it would have, depending upon the moment the image was captured. I am assuming the focus was directly on the bird.
excellent shot, Andrew. must have been quite thrilling...you being so close. I liked the composition, exposure and the moment. habitat as well. Well done.
Gail, thanks for your suggestions. I will try them on the RAW file.
Jonathan, the focal point on the eagle is her eye. Re. the lack of detail in the feathers: I think it is caused by the heavy overcast & the subsequently diffused light. The light was coming from the south & I shot the image facing east. I think Roger Clark would say the phase angle is 90˚(side lighting)—less than ideal. The right side of the eagle is lit by the light reflecting off the snow. Note the shadow under the eagle’s tail.
Kaustubh: Yes, very thrilling. I heard what sounded like 1000 hornets all buzzing at once as the eagle jinked to grab the fleeing duck in mid-flight. The sound was caused by the air moving over the eagle’s wings. Truly startling to hear for the first time.
Golden Eagle with golden eye duck lunch
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