Bald Eagle juvenile catches catfish

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

Bald Eagle 38.jpg
Bald Eagle 38.jpg1200×1200 784 KB

Bald Eagle 37.jpg
Bald Eagle 37.jpg1600×1200 956 KB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

I just returned from a weekend trip to a swamp in northwest Tennessee (Reelfoot Lake). We saw a few eagles including this juvenile that caught a catfish.

Specific Feedback

Any.
Shooting conditions were tough given the fairly strong wind and waves rocking the boat.

Technical Details

Canon R7, 200-800mm, hand held
ISO 1600, f9, 1/3200s

Processed in DXO PureRaw 4 and Photoshop.

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2

Nice work on these images, Allen. The second seems to have a bit more light on the bird and that gives it more pop, though I love the wing position in the first.

3

Hi Allen,

This one has my curiosity up a bit.
I usually just see the fish in those sharp talons without any major flesh damage, but this one seems to have a good sized chunk of meat missing.
It makes me wonder if the eagle hadn’t already started eating it and decided to have a change of venue for whatever reason, or maybe the eagle stole the catfish from another bird of prey?

At any rate, it’s a great capture!
The detail and sharpness is great!
Really good composition, too.
I think I like the wing position a bit more, and the lighting on the head better in the first image.
In the second image, the eagle has a more intense look on its face, that may be because of the way the light is hitting it.
Both images are great, though!
I’m trying to imagine if I could handle a 200-800mm lens handheld while tracking an eagle like that.
I’m not in as good of shape as I used to be so I may not have what it takes for that, I’d probably at least have to use a monopod. :slightly_smiling_face:

Well done, Allen

4

Allen: both are well captured action shots. I like the wing position of the first image and the light on the bird’s head in the second.

5

Hi Allen
Nice work on these Eagle photographs, I like the framing in number better.
Peter