Judy Haran
December 2024 - Eagle at Conowingo Dam
About the Image(s)
I went to Maryland and went to Conowingo Dam on the Susquehanna River. Around this time eagles usually appear as the rivers further north start to freeze. Last year was a sparse year for the birds; however, they have been active this season. This year most of the photographers have large mirrorless camera and 800 mm lenses. Too heavy for me to hold, so not in the future for me.
Gates at the parking lot of the dam open at 5: 30 am, and weekends fill up then. Today I arrived at 7: 15 and caught a few in the early morning sun.
Nikon D500, 500PF, f/5.6, 1/3200, auto-iso set to 6000 and below.
9 comments posted
I've seen that dam and know the photographers line up for the eagles. You don't ever seem to take a bad photo. Good catch with the fish, splash and low light angle. Posted: 12/09/2024 04:12:57
Thank you so much. This was the first time I left my settings as above and didn't change them all morning. I used to have the SS 1/2500 and the ISO capped at the highest it could go. My birds had blurry wing tips and the photos were noisy.
I am much happier with these settings and LR took care of noise.
I also watched the weather on an app called Windy. I made sure to go when the wind was from the south and the birds would be flying towards me into the wind. Posted: 12/09/2024 13:17:11
I am much happier with these settings and LR took care of noise.
I also watched the weather on an app called Windy. I made sure to go when the wind was from the south and the birds would be flying towards me into the wind. Posted: 12/09/2024 13:17:11
Timing is everything for both the Eagle and lighting! Posted: 12/09/2024 18:43:48
One thing you might do is dodge the eagle's face to lighten it up and show the eye. Perhaps just a little under the wing in the foreground also. Posted: 12/11/2024 16:42:16
Thanks. That's what I was thinking. I had to load and edit these in my laptop. Posted: 12/11/2024 17:56:23
Judy, Very nice shot. Well done. Posted: 12/11/2024 17:32:02
Just a spectacular shot of the Eagle catching their breakfast !
I lived in Maryland for nine years before moving here and never went up to Conowingo, but then I really did not shoot too many birds.....and more importantly did not know enough to effectively shoot in flight birds. First thing I did after moving to SFL was get some tutoring on that skill set!
I suspect when you get a chance to process it on your desktop and with more time to work on it , you'll find it is really a great shot. I really don't like to pressure myself into processing on the road. I usually go home and think why did I do that....it is so much easier when not pressured! Posted: 12/12/2024 20:14:19
I lived in Maryland for nine years before moving here and never went up to Conowingo, but then I really did not shoot too many birds.....and more importantly did not know enough to effectively shoot in flight birds. First thing I did after moving to SFL was get some tutoring on that skill set!
I suspect when you get a chance to process it on your desktop and with more time to work on it , you'll find it is really a great shot. I really don't like to pressure myself into processing on the road. I usually go home and think why did I do that....it is so much easier when not pressured! Posted: 12/12/2024 20:14:19
Thank you so much. I can see a difference in editing as I look at mine on my home monitor, which is older and not an expensive photo monitor either. Posted: 12/12/2024 20:29:01
You nailed the decisive moment in this shot, Judy. Sharp. I especially like the separation in the feathers in the eagle's left wing. Nice composition, as well. The image looks like it could use a slight boost to make the plumage stand out a little more. Not much. Just a tad. Great job. Posted: 12/19/2024 22:31:24