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Mating


Mating
Photo Information
Copyright: Nadia Swanepoel (nakkie) Silver Note Writer [C: 6 W: 2 N: 21] (104)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-09-08
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 350D, Sigma 70-300 4-5.6 APO DG MACRO
Exposure: f/9.0, 1/640 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-10-15 4:23
Viewed: 1476
Points: 13
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
You may have seen a similar photo from duckpond, that is because we both saw the same fish eagles.
But this is my photo :-)

Shot details:
1. Exposure Time: 1/640 sec
2. f/9.0 F-Stop: f/9.0
3. 200 ISO Speed Ratings: 200
4. 168/1 mm Focal Length: 168/1 mm

An African Fish Eagle in the Okavango Delta
Enlarge An African Fish Eagle in the Okavango Delta

EnlargeThe African Fish Eagle, Haliaeetus vocifer, is a large species of eagle and a bird of prey.
African fish eagles are large birds, and the females are often larger than the males. Males usually have a wingspan of about 6 feet, while females have wingspans upwards of 8 feet. They are very distinctive in appearance with a mostly brown body and large, powerful, black wings. The head, breast, and tail of African fish eagles are snow white and the hook-shaped beak is mostly yellow with a black tip.
African fish eagles are still quite common near freshwater lakes, reservoirs, or rivers, although they can sometimes be found near the coast at the mouths of rivers or lagoons. As their name implies African fish eagles are indigenous to Africa, ranging over most of continental Africa south of the southern-most edge of the Sahara Desert.
Breeding season for African fish eagles is during the dry season, when water levels are low. African fish eagles are believed to mate for life, and pairs will often maintain two or more nests, which they will frequently re-use. Because nests are re-used and built upon over the years the nests can grow to be quite large, some reaching six feet across and 4 feet deep. The nests are placed in a large tree and built mostly of sticks and other pieces of wood. The female lays 1 to 3 eggs, which are primarily white with a few reddish speckles. Incubation is mostly done by the female, but the male will incubate when the female leaves to hunt. Incubation lasts for 42 to 45 days before the chicks hatch. The eggs will often hatch a few days apart, and the eldest chick will usually kill any younger chicks. Fledging lasts for 70 to 75 days, and after about 8 weeks the chick is capable of feeding itself and will usually begin to venture outside of the nest 2 weeks later.
African fish eagles mainly feeds on fish, which, upon spying from a perch in a tree, it will swoop down and snatch from the water with its large clawed talons and fly back to its perch to eat. Should the African fish eagle catch a fish over 4 pounds it will be too heavy to allow it to get lift, so it will instead drag the fish across the surface of the water until it reaches the shore. Should the African fish eagle catch an especially heavy fish that is too heavy to even allow the eagle to sustain flight it will drop into the water and paddle to the nearest shore with its wings. African fish eagles will also feed on waterfowl, small turtles, baby crocodiles, and carrion.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_fish_eagle
duckpond, Calianis, lizbrown, mrvdm1 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

:-)

Nice shot. Good action covered. This was truly a magical moment.

Good sharpness, exposure and detail.

Well done and TFS
Johan

Hi Nadia,

A great moment you've captured here, but the photo quality unfortunately doesn't support this special moment.But anyway an image that deserves attention.Thanks for the useful note.

Well Done & TFS.

Very impress.
Point for shot.
Not point for quality.
DT.

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1132 W: 254 N: 2446] (11125)
  • [2006-10-15 12:54]

Hi Nadia,

Great shot and not so much seen on TN,well captured,

Regards,
Paul

Hi Nadia
Wow you were lucky to capture this. I can hear the calling - absolutely stunning. Well done and TFS

Nadia

Great action shot!! I love the composition and detail, you really did great. Maybe the whites are a bit washed, but the overall effect was great!

Riaan

Good shot , and looking at the comments I am not going to add, except that your Camera could be on the wrong settings, take it's manual and get a piece of paper and write down what you do at what settings, then choose the correct settings, try to keep the subject the same as well, Goods luck and keep it up....

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