Cindy Marple
July 2025 - Bataleur Eagle
Original
About the Image(s)
On safari in South Africa last week, we were really lucky to find this Bataleur Eagle couple preening each other in the first light of morning. Not only that, they were perfectly perched on an open branch with the sky behind. Our driver did a great job of positioning us for the shot.
Processing: Crop, levels, slight shadow enhancement. Done on a laptop so may need some more tweaking, suggestions welcome.
Nikon Z8, 400mm, 1/1000 f/8 ISO 560
5 comments posted
Getting shots like this are what make a trip memorable. You are lucky to have gotten a mated pair actually doing something together. I like the colors and the thick feathers around their heads. As usual you have a really sharp image and the crop is not overdone. You were fortunate to get the sun striking them as well. May I assume this was hand held from a vehicle with the motor running Posted: 07/08/2025 17:12:59
Hi Larry, yes I couldn't believe the good luck with this pair. Definitely a highlight memory for the trip. This was indeed handheld from an open vehicle, but our guide was good about shutting off the motor when we stopped. We stayed with them for 10 minutes! Posted: 07/17/2025 01:33:18
Cindy, you were fortunate that you were able to capture these birds with a non-distracting background in good light - just terrific Cindy. In my VF, I cropped in and opened up the shadows as I thought a bit more detail in the dark feathers would at some visual interest, but either way, a terrific capture. Posted: 07/09/2025 18:28:22
I'll play with raising the shadows, but don't want to lose the richness of the blacks in doing so. A careful balance. Posted: 07/17/2025 01:34:23
Cindy -
Great shot! These are fantastic birds. I got several shots when I was in Africa. However, they were in low light at a great distance and did not turn out. I'm envious. Posted: 07/13/2025 22:54:12
Great shot! These are fantastic birds. I got several shots when I was in Africa. However, they were in low light at a great distance and did not turn out. I'm envious. Posted: 07/13/2025 22:54:12