Picture Of The Week 05-10-10

Immature Bale Eagle

Where: Henrico County, VA • Near Dutch Gap on the James River

Notes: Some friends invited me to join them for a day of witnessing and photographing these magnificent raptors in their natural environment. I recently had my appetite wettened for Eagle photos on a similar trip, just a few weeks before. So, when the asked to join another venture aboard an Eagle Photo Tour with Captain Mike of the James River Fishing School (www.JamesRiverFishing.com) came, and when my partner offered to treat, I could not refuse. This full frame image was nearly the first shot I took that morning along the James River, south of Richmond. Knowing I had some really close-up images took the "getting a shot" pressure off the trip. Any good photos after that would be icing on the cake as far as I was concerned, It was late spring and the adults are busy feeding well-developed eaglets, while the immature birds (left) meandered around the river basin. It takes four or five years for an Eagle to get its adult plumage. This was the closest I have ever been to a wild Bald Eagle. Watching it eat a fish was a joyful experience to witness, since this is its main source of food, both for the adults and the chicks.

Equipment: Canon EOS 40D • Canon 300mm f-2.8 L Series Prime Lens • 1.4X Converter • Hand Held

Exposure: Shutter Speed = 1/100 second • Aperture = f 6.3 • Exposure Mode = Aperture Priority • Focus Mode: One Shot • Lens (Focal) Length = 420 mm (300 mm w/ 1.4X converter) • ISO = 400 • Aprox. Camera Distance = ~25 Feet • Date Shot: 05-05-10

©2010 Robert W. Schamerhorn. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.