Eagle Locked OnI really like this eagle's side profile as it is locked on to a fish. The eagle contrasts nicely against the smooth horizontal ripples of the Mississippi river.

Today (1/4/18), I finally made the 2 hour drive to the Mississippi River to photograph the majestic American Bald Eagle. Here is my first edit of 2018. It was a very challenging day to shoot and it wasn't just due to the cold (-2, felt like -15 when I started shooting). The cold did add a mist to the air and I can't remember a stretch of cold days like what we have had this year. The ice and snow just seemed to create a mist just above the river that impacted the clarity that I typically strive for. Secondly, the sun was shining the entire drive to the Mississippi but once I arrived, the clouds moved in so my images were missing that great light that illuminates the feathers, eyes, and makes the water blue. Lastly, I was really missing the 2 trees that typically sit along the bank of the river in the park where the eagles would traditionally stage/rest before making their dives over the river to fish. The eagles still have plenty of other tress to choose from but they don't give a good vantage point for photography. This results in most of the fishing taking place further out in the river. Due to these challenges, I adjusted my approach. Stood in different places and really watched the birds' behaviors. I was rewarded with a few decent fishing images and flyovers. While I'm always striving to perfect technique and clarity in my images, I am learning that there is so much more to a powerful photograph.
Atmosphere - including the mist in the images may impact clarity but may add to the story that tells the viewer about the environment and conditions.
Pose - an image may not be the best technical image, but catching a look or pose that is unique and tells a story may take an image to the next level.
Setting - while we all love those close images that show the eyes and feathers of the bird, sometimes a wider view gives the viewer an idea of the setting and completes a story.

I'm hoping to edit and share more images showcasing a variety of these elements.

All in all it was a great day just seeing these birds fishing again. It was also fairly quiet and peaceful today, which was nice for the soul. I don't know if I will be able to make another trip to the river this year due to being busy with family events so I tried to make the best of the time I had. Even the two photographers that walked along the restricted preserve and spooked off 40-50 eagles and killed the action for the rest of the day couldn't ruin my day...although that is a big no no and not good for the birds.

I really like this eagle's side profile as it is locked on to a fish. The eagle contrasts nicely against the smooth horizontal ripples of the Mississippi river.

Today (1/4/18), I finally made the 2 hour drive to the Mississippi River to photograph the majestic American Bald Eagle. Here is my first edit of 2018. It was a very challenging day to shoot and it wasn't just due to the cold (-2, felt like -15 when I started shooting). The cold did add a mist to the air and I can't remember a stretch of cold days like what we have had this year. The ice and snow just seemed to create a mist just above the river that impacted the clarity that I typically strive for. Secondly, the sun was shining the entire drive to the Mississippi but once I arrived, the clouds moved in so my images were missing that great light that illuminates the feathers, eyes, and makes the water blue. Lastly, I was really missing the 2 trees that typically sit along the bank of the river in the park where the eagles would traditionally stage/rest before making their dives over the river to fish. The eagles still have plenty of other tress to choose from but they don't give a good vantage point for photography. This results in most of the fishing taking place further out in the river. Due to these challenges, I adjusted my approach. Stood in different places and really watched the birds' behaviors. I was rewarded with a few decent fishing images and flyovers. While I'm always striving to perfect technique and clarity in my images, I am learning that there is so much more to a powerful photograph.
Atmosphere - including the mist in the images may impact clarity but may add to the story that tells the viewer about the environment and conditions.
Pose - an image may not be the best technical image, but catching a look or pose that is unique and tells a story may take an image to the next level.
Setting - while we all love those close images that show the eyes and feathers of the bird, sometimes a wider view gives the viewer an idea of the setting and completes a story.

I'm hoping to edit and share more images showcasing a variety of these elements.

All in all it was a great day just seeing these birds fishing again. It was also fairly quiet and peaceful today, which was nice for the soul. I don't know if I will be able to make another trip to the river this year due to being busy with family events so I tried to make the best of the time I had. Even the two photographers that walked along the restricted preserve and spooked off 40-50 eagles and killed the action for the rest of the day couldn't ruin my day...although that is a big no no and not good for the birds.