Thanks for the votes everyone. A lot of people mentioned sanctuaries, zoos, etc., etc., but in fact this was quite in the wild along the Mississippi River in Davenport Iowa. The lens was actually a 400mm f2.8 with a 1.4x extender on it. It wasn't my lens so I didn't add it to my list.
As for the photo, the full frame included the entire bird. I cropped it down, removed a couple distracting twigs and added a bit of vignet. I dodged the feathers a bit to bring them out. Had to adjust WB to warm it up. Not too much else.
Statistics
Place: 3 out of 251 Avg (all users): 7.3726 Avg (commenters): 8.4375 Avg (participants): 7.2100 Avg (non-participants): 7.5179 Views since voting: 12912 Views during voting: 474 Votes: 212 Comments: 71 Favorites: 31 (view)
Great capture and Picture!!!WELL DONE!!!
I really can't understand why some people gives just 1, 2 or 3 points to the pictures on these challenges...I really think that it's people doing "unfair" competition or pleasing others giving negative votes to the more competitive pictures.
What a wonderful shot! That borrowed lens and extender really worked well for you, and gave you the opportunity - which you made the best of, of capturing this eagle dining! Congratulations on your ribbon!!
I can't believe the low scores this unbelievable picture got! Could they be from people who were worried about the competition? This is one of the best pics on DPC. Instant favorite. Wonderful work!
I have in-laws in Ottumwa Iowa -I have seen bald eagles flying around there on several occasions so it doesn't surprise me that this is in Iowa. I could never even dream of capturing something like this though! Excellent!
Depending on where and when you go, and the condition of the ice on the Mississippi (mostly frozen with open pockets) you can see literally hundreds of Bald Eagles in one spot. Depending on the factors, they can be in Ottumwa, Davenport, Burlington or a number of other places - one has to be willing to drive to find them. By the time the river thaws out they have pretty much dispersed.
I have in-laws in Ottumwa Iowa -I have seen bald eagles flying around there on several occasions so it doesn't surprise me that this is in Iowa. I could never even dream of capturing something like this though! Excellent!
This was in the wild?!? Holy shnikeys! What an awesome shot. You didn't deserve the 8 I gave you; should have been a 10. Sorry for bringing you down a tad, but glad to see you ribboned. Congrats!
You know, I had one with a mouse... the bird was eating a mouse, but I found it kind of disturbing, and didn't enter... I really prefer a fish rather than mouse in definitely. This is a good photo, very sharp :) frame is very nicely done also.
The awesome visualism in this shot is outstanding, congratulations on the ribbon. Do not understand the DoDo bird votes below 5 for this photo, can only suggest they are wild life greenies and don' like the sight of blood.
I have to wonder if this shot was taken at a bird sanctuary or in the wild. This is a nice capture either way. Although more impressive if in the wild. 8
Good capture - seems natural, which of course takes the capture to a whole different level. Wish there was as much clarity on the face and eyes as appears to be on the fore talon, but of course difficult. Overall there appears a dark 'haze' on this image, but that could be intentional. Not sure on your framing, don't think it enhances the image as is, in my opinion.
Enough of the highly idealized images of the noble eagle. How about one getting down to business? Superb capture. See you on the front page.
I keep coming back to this one...In my mind this raises the bar for all future eagle pictures. I hope you will indulge us(or at least me) with a look at your original!
This is an amazing capture and I am wondering if this is a wild or captive eagle....you got so close! It looks like you added some artificial lighting or vignetting and I am not sure I like that but I like everything else.
Yummy fish. Good detail. I would have skipped on the vignette. It takes away from the birds head. Puts it too much into a shadow. Makes the whites a bit too drab. Cool capture though.
Dramatic shot that stands out - some may not like the gore but I rate it highly for showing a raptor in full context.
One comment - there is a light arc on the front of legs towrds the neck - perhaps a little PP lift on the face and eye would draw the eye around and hold it where the action is?
Dinner Time at the Old Oak Tree
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