I began photographing birds several years before I started blogging so I have quite a few nice photos that I’ve never posted to Feathered Photography.
1/2000, f/8, ISO 500, Canon 40D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM, not baited, set up or called in
This one was taken three cameras ago, back in 2009 when I was still using my Canon 40D. The adult Bald Eagle was coming in to land on the shore of a pond at Farmington Bay WMA and I managed to get several photos I like during ‘his’ approach.
I think raptors in general have a natural intensity during their landing approach, due in part to the brow ridges overhanging their eyes which give them a scowling, even menacing look. But this bird was coming in to land amongst other eagles and in that situation serious fights sometimes break out. He seems to be aware of that possibility but he looks determined to brave the gauntlet and take his chances.
I’m always a little reluctant to include my image techs for these older shots because back then I shot virtually everything at f/8. I’d read somewhere online that f/8 was the “sweet spot” for sharpness with my lens so come hell or high water I shot at f/8, no matter the conditions. It makes me shudder to think of how many potentially excellent photos I butchered because I didn’t have enough shutter speed.
What, you mean not everything you read online is true! That was one of my painful lessons in that regard.
Ron
Note: If f/8 actually is the sweet spot for sharpness with that lens I’ve never seen any evidence of it. Besides, the difference would be so minor I’d be giving up far more than I’d gain by shooting at f/8 all the time.
Fantastic shot Ron! Thanks for sharing!
Something about this photo makes me kind of “feel” the are holding this eagle as he comes in. Thanks for the experience!
Ron, a beautiful shot of a magnificent bird. You had the skill back then just like now. Thank you.
Thanks for those kind words, Alice.
THANK YOU 😁
A picture of my favorite ❤️
🙂
Wow, Ron! You started out as a talented photographer with a really good eye! I absolutely love the position of the Bald Eagle — I keep looking for the marionette strings, but it’s all him. 😉 Gorgeous!
Thanks Marty. The eagle just made me look good.
Geez, this striking photo was taken 11 years ago? So you were an incredible photographer from the get go? You should show us some of your epic fails sometime (if there are any) just so we know your’e human.
Lyle, I still take far more “epic fails” than I do decent shots but I delete those suckers!
I do love starting my mornings with awe and wonder.
So very much.
Megathanks.
Having admired the image, read the comments (and agreed with them) I am going to hit publish and go back and gaze at those beetle-brows and those impressive legs and talons some more.
Thanks, EC. I hope you enjoyed the second viewing as much as the first.
Of course I did.
Very Nice, back in the days before urban sprawl and the discovery by photographers of the large number of eagles drawn to the bay by the carp kill.
“Those were the days my friend” but we knew they would end!
Yup, and I miss ‘those days’ a lot.
Well, they may be thieves, opportunists & scoundrels of the raptor world — but Balds ARE truly gorgeous members of the clan — and your image is a perfect example. Do love to see those hanging legs as this one comes in for a landing. It all looks so effortless though I know it’s not. 🦅
Chris, I think you first sentence summarizes the situation with Bald Eagles perfectly.
Superb photograph!
To echo what others have already noted, it isn’t the tool, it’s who is using it that matters.
We are thankful for your artistry! Oh, and the fact that you share it with us!
Count me as among the gullible neophytes as well. “f/8 or die!”
What a revelation to discover the difference a bit of higher shutter speed makes!
“What a revelation to discover the difference a bit of higher shutter speed makes!”
Yeah, no kidding Wally. For the short time I used a 2.0 tc with my cropped frame camera I could only shoot at f/8 so I often had SS’s that were too slow. That’s one of the things that drove me crazy about that teleconverter.
What a glorious image, as usual. Also as usual, I’m drawn to that utterly amazing intensity of the eagle’s gaze–just WOW! The other thing is that bald eagles SEEM to lower their landing gears way earlier than other raptors when approaching their landing. Is that something you see, too, or is that just my imagination?
OK, I’m not a HUGE fan of bald eagles, HOWEVER, they are raptors so… As we’ve discussed before, I’m easy with raptors/birds/critters AND your photography! 😉
Laura, I think you’re right about Bald Eagles lowering their ‘landing gear’ sooner than most other raptors during the pre-landing process. Since the lowered legs are used as air brakes I suspect it’s because of their greater inertia due to their greater weight. In other words it takes them longer to slow down.
But that’s only a guess…
40D? This proves that it’s the photographer, not the camera, that takes the picture. I’m curious, at what point did you determine the need for the TC1.4x?
Elmer, I started using the 1.4 tc almost immediately after I bought my first Canon 500 f/4 lens, way back at the beginning of my serious bird photography. That combination has always been a great one. Some time later I also bought the Canon 2.0 tc but I wasn’t happy with the results so I sold it.
Beautiful shot, Ron……… 🙂 Yeh, internet “never” has “misinformation” 😉 You DID figure it out however with wonderful results we all revel in daily…. 🙂
“Yeh, internet “never” has “misinformation”
Especially political misinformation, huh Judy…
THAT’S a fact………. 😉
From an envious guy who shoots eagles with a much less sophisticated camera. Agree with Dick that it is beautiful, sharp, and has good clarity. Had I shot it it would be hanging on a wall somewhere in my house. Thanks for posting Ron I have always especially admired your eagle photos.
Thanks Everett, although that old 40D was far from sophisticated, at least by today’s standards.
But I was pretty happy with it at the time, as I’ve been with all of my Canon cameras in their day..
Beautiful shot, love the sharpness and clarity.
Thank you, Dick.