Back to Birds... Bald Eagle, Nest and Hatchling

[jprzybyla]

In conversation with a gentleman from Germany, whom I met while on photo shoot, I was given the location of a eagles nest close to a road. When Dottie and I went there the next day the viewing area for the nest was way too far for our 300mm lenses. Walking along the road to the nest area one could get to about fifty feet of the nest, but it was the backside of the nest reagarding the direction of light. Deeply shadowed, very noisy images. So I thought of two options, an overcast day without shadows with more even lighting or late afternoon/early evening when the direction of light had changed hoping a tree in front of the nest would not block the light. Sunday morning dawned overcast so we drove to the nest again. The following are the images with a lot of work in Lightroom, not the best but I think acceptable until better conditions. C&C welcomed and appreciated. Thank you for vewing.

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[Dave Humphries]

You just keep delivering Joe

[terrib]

Oh Joe! I am so absolutely jealous! Yes, I think those will do.

[Bobobird]

awesome.........

[Aforns]

Like them a lot Joe Big fan of high key images, not sure what settings you had but usually +2 or a little over works well !! You did well in LR and do like the end result !! btw .. sure like the compositions !! Excellent work !!

[jamn4ex]

Excellent Joe! With Eagles it seams everything gets more difficult, you pulled through with your usual diligence. I really like 2 but they all really stand out well.

[jeeperman]

Good stuff Joe! Great to see the nest and the near fledgling.

[kaneohebud]

Joe: Great work in trying conditions. The only bald eagles I've been able to shoot had ice/frost all over their feathers that looks like noise (but isn't). You're lucky you don't have too worry about that down in Florida. Well done once more!

[botspur]

A very nice set of images, well done Joe!

[jprzybyla]

You just keep delivering Joe

Thanks Dave, very much appreciated.

[jprzybyla]

Oh Joe! I am so absolutely jealous! Yes, I think those will do.

Hello Terri, thank you for viewing and commenting. I know of a few eagles nests, this is the only one I can get close enough to for my lens to show the detail I want.

[jprzybyla]

awesome.........

Thanks Bobo...

[jprzybyla]

Like them a lot Joe Big fan of high key images, not sure what settings you had but usually +2 or a little over works well !! You did well in LR and do like the end result !! btw .. sure like the compositions !! Excellent work !!

Hello Alfred, welcome to CIC. You are spot on regarding the exposure. All of the images were shot in the same light, the expsoure I used was knocking at +2. Your viewing and comments are very much appreciated. If you ever get up near Kissimmee that is where the eagles nest is, let me know I will give you the location.

[jprzybyla]

Excellent Joe! With Eagles it seams everything gets more difficult, you pulled through with your usual diligence. I really like 2 but they all really stand out well.

Thanks James, I like 2 also, it appears she was crying out but it really was a yawn... just prior she had fallen asleep. I have images of her sleeping while perched.

[jprzybyla]

Good stuff Joe! Great to see the nest and the near fledgling.

Thanks Paul, very much appreciated.

[jprzybyla]

Joe: Great work in trying conditions. The only bald eagles I've been able to shoot had ice/frost all over their feathers that looks like noise (but isn't). You're lucky you don't have too worry about that down in Florida. Well done once more!

Thanks Bud, your right about the ice and frost most times in Florida. I would guess your eagles were from your trip to Yellowstone, if I remember correctly.

[jprzybyla]

A very nice set of images, well done Joe!

Thanks Clive, very much appreciated but I am still waiting for my first elephant.

[Mully]

Very nice capture.... bet you want to go back.

[rtbaum]

I love your work. I am psyching myself up for the northern edition. I have found the nest, Ma and Pa are beginning housekeeping chores, and I am planning how to best approach the nest without upsetting the happy couple. Any suggestions would be appreciated.