I feel as if someone is watching

Posted by Bookfool (Mississippi, United States) on 2 December 2008 in Animal & Insect and Portfolio.

This particular bald eagle posed so nicely that I had to ask my son to choose a favorite photo. Kiddo chose this image as his personal favorite because, as the son says, it looks as if the eagle is still aware of the camera, even though he's turned away. This is #3 from the Memphis Zoo. It was a great day, so I probably have about 3 or 4 more favorites to post, providing I don't get sick of my own theme (which does happen).

Comments (14)

Faon from Strasbourg, France

WAOW ... incredible close-up ... love it !

2 Dec 2008 7:31am

@Faon: Thank you!

Marie from Isère, France

Absolutely fabulous !

2 Dec 2008 11:07am

@Marie: Thank you, Marie!

grouser from Ludlow, United Kingdom

Beautiful crisp close up

2 Dec 2008 11:28am

@grouser: Thanks, Grouser.

Les from Lincoln, United States

I'm in complete awe! Great, great shot. The beak, the eye, the whole thing. It's all so sharp and detailed. Wow, Nancy. Five stars, my dear.

2 Dec 2008 12:22pm

@Les: Thanks, Les. I thought it was very polite of him to pose, don't you? :)

Jon from Basingstoke, United Kingdom

Lovely image great detail. What lens did you use? says 750mm were you quite a distance then?

2 Dec 2008 1:05pm

@Jon: Thank you. I've been told that for a DSLR, the focal length is multiplied by 1.5 in the sidebar and that does appear to be true. I was using a 500mm and I'd estimate that we were standing about 30 feet away from the eagle -- maybe 8-10 metres?

Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada

Ah Book you're a Nature Wonder, no doubt, bravo!

2 Dec 2008 3:44pm

@Lorraine: Well, thank you, Lorraine. Nature Freak is probably closer to the truth. I did okay at the eagle exhibit -- snapped my photos and moved on nicely; nobody went into a coma, waiting.

Pixim from Nice, France

Once again, technically completed; you managed to get this liveliness of the eye in the service of this beak Bravo ;)

2 Dec 2008 8:58pm

@Pixim: Merci, Pixim. L'aigle chauve était très actif et la conversation, donc j'ai aussi quelques photos de sa bouche ouverte, que j'aime très beaucoup. Ils sont des créatures royales, n'est-ce pas ?

Richard_Irwin from Belper, United Kingdom

Its a stunningly close shot, I think you worked that big telephoto lens to create an amazing shot.

2 Dec 2008 10:52pm

@Richard_Irwin: The key is apparently to brace the elbows on whatever fence rails are handy (if the husband walks off with the tripod -- which he always does). LOL Thanks, Richard. I felt like this guy went out of his way to pose; it was a privilege to watch and photograph him. They have very squeaky voices!