The Eagle Family

[Dr. WooD]

I shot this along with 703 more from a private dock by a park. The owner was most cool, and said I could come back anytime I wanted. He said the eagles have been nesting there for the past 5 years. This is probably my favorite shot, because you can see both adult, and both baby eagles.

I plan on going back tomorrow, about an hour earlier than when I went today due to the sun location. The place where I was shooting is the only spot, unless I wade out into the water. Anyone know anyway I might score a better shot, or anything I could do to this one to make it better?

I really lucked out finding this spot to shoot from. Everyone has been trying to get shots from the park, but there is a big limb right in front of the nest.

Exposure: 0.001 sec (1/1000)
Aperture: f/8
Focal Length: 420 mm
ISO Speed: 560
Exposure Bias: 0/6 EV



<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wood-shot/2322970287/" title="DSC_6657c by wood420, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2201/2322970287_97d6709512.jpg" width="500" height="369" alt="DSC_6657c" /></a>

[windrider86]

man this one of those shots that is so incredible to see and then you see it on a screen and go hmmm. Not that there is anything wrong with it but it's hard to see the birds.
I would suggest cropping it down some bu then you will have to cut down on one bord or the other. The sjy to me tho seems an odd color blue, maybe that will make a difference if its changed.
I do have to ask tho, you mentioned going earlier as the sun was bright so why the iso at 560?

[Dr. WooD]

I forgot I had the ISO set to auto. This shot is SOOC other than cropping, and adding my name.

I'm going earlier due to sun positioning. When I first got there it was about as good as it gets, but I had to wait an hour or so for the other eagle to come back with food. Then both babies popped up, but at that time the eagle on the left was in a shadow.

A nice 600 f/4 wood be handy in a situation like this.

Here is a crop of the little ones.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wood-shot/2323817445/" title="DSC_6657 babies by wood420, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3140/2323817445_06490070e3_o.jpg" width="533" height="412" alt="DSC_6657 babies" /></a>

[RussHeath]

WooD -- What a great find! It's a very unusual shot with the one adult swooping in and the immature eagle opening its beak. Your EXIF says 420mm, which is kind of a weird distance. What lens were you using? I know some guys are able to throw a little flash that far with the flash extenders, so you could think about that as a way to get some more light in the branches. However, you'll probably get better results by just changing the time of day by an hour or two, like you said. Maybe you'll luck out some more and find a time of day when the nest is highlighted and the rest of the brances are not?

[Dr. WooD]

I'm using a 300 f/4 with Nikons TC 14 II converter.

Getting my gear together to leave now. I'm taking my cable release this time. As far as flash goes. I'm shooting from around 700 foot away. I'll try and change out lens, and get a shot at around 50mm to judge the distance.