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Alaskan Bald Eagle


Alaskan Bald Eagle
Photo Information
Copyright: Paul Prince (PDP) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2964 W: 366 N: 3848] (11755)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-03-18
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX APO RF, Digital ISO 200, Hoya skylight (1B)
Exposure: f/10.0, 1/500 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-03-20 10:24
Viewed: 2021
Favorites: 3 [view]
Points: 84
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This photo was taken at Liberty's Raptor and Reptile centre in Ringwood, Hampshire. Thanks Miles for organising this trip.

The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), the USA's national bird, is the only eagle unique to North America. The bald eagle's scientific name signifies a sea (halo) eagle (aeetos) with a white (leukos) head. At one time, the word "bald" meant "white," not hairless. Bald eagles are found over most of North America, from Alaska and Canada to northern Mexico. About half of the world's 70,000 bald eagles live in Alaska. Combined with British Columbia's population of about 20,000, the northwest coast of North America is by far their greatest stronghold for bald eagles. They flourish here in part because of the salmon. Dead or dying fish are an important food source for all bald eagles.

Eagles are a member of the Accipitridae family, which also includes hawks, kites, and old-world vultures.

Scientists loosely divide eagles into four groups based on their physical characteristics and behavior. The bald eagle is a sea or fish eagle.

There are two subspecies of bald eagles. The "southern" bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus leucocephalus, is found in the gulf states from Texas and Baja California across to South Carolina and Florida, south of 40 degrees north latitude. The "northern" bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus alascanus, is found north of 40 degrees north latitude across the entire continent. The largest number of northern bald eagles are in the Northwest, especially in Alaska. The "northern" bald eagle is slightly larger than the "southern" bald eagle.

Studies have shown that "northern" bald eagles fly into the southern states and Mexico, and the "southern" bald eagles fly north into Canada. Because of these finding, the subspecies of "northern" and "southern" bald eagles has been discontinued in recent literature.

Bald eagles were officially declared an endangered species in 1967 in all areas of the United States south of the 40th parallel, under a law that preceded the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
Until 1995, the bald eagle had been listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in 43 of the 48 lower states, and listed as threatened in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Washington and Oregon. In July of 1995, the US Fish and Wildlife Service upgraded the status of bald eagles in the lower 48 states to "threatened."

Notes were taken from here: www.baldeagleinfo.com

I hope you like it.
SkyF, MojoUK, dew77, aido, Luc, ellis49, nardophoto, coasties, jeanpaul, mogens-j, wallhalla15, mrcrow, AndyB, liquidsunshine, marhowie, cecilia, Janice, MikeGray, scottevers7, peter_stoeckl, Comandante, thistle, anavazao, Demetrio, Dando, firelord, doubleg57, RII has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To RII: Hi RicardoPDP 1 05-17 17:33
To Toucadoo: Sensor dirtPDP 2 03-20 19:12
To liquidsunshine: It's not your eyesPDP 1 03-20 17:43
To manyee: AgePDP 1 03-20 11:42
To Pesky_Polecat: screamingPDP 1 03-20 10:31
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Paul, hope you enjoyed the day, it was good to see you again. Like the blue sky background... and for once she's not screaming!

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2390 W: 194 N: 1991] (8113)
  • [2006-03-20 10:32]

Hi Paul,
excellent portrait, you captured this majestic bird in a excellent pose, very concentrated look. The plumage is very detailed and sharp. Great colors and nice POV.
Regard...Sky

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5171 W: 297 N: 4050] (13069)
  • [2006-03-20 10:34]

Hello Paul!
Excellent portrait.Sharpness,details,lighting,POV,BG,colors,
framing and composition are wonderful.TFS...:-)

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3070 W: 231 N: 5861] (19714)
  • [2006-03-20 10:35]
  • [+]

What a sharp close-up of this regal bird. The details are spot on, and the light is perfect. I like the way you have cropped it.
I have never seen a bald eagle with so much brown on the white part.
Is it due to age of the bird or state of health, do you think?
TFS, Paul. : )

  • Great 
  • MojoUK Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 65 W: 7 N: 328] (1479)
  • [2006-03-20 10:39]

Very nice close up portrait Paul. The composition and angle of the birds head make for a dynamic image. The deep blue of the sky makes a appealing and natural backdrop.

I got to see these magnificent creatures both up close and in flight for myself recently and was completely taken aback by both their size and power, yet in the air they look so graceful. TFS.

  • Great 
  • aido Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1097 W: 168 N: 1218] (4046)
  • [2006-03-20 10:39]

Hi Paul,
Great shot, excellent detail and colour/contrast. I'm planning a trip down there myself soon, can't wait after seeing the images you and Miles have posted.
Cheers,
Adrian

Great shot Paul, perfect focus and DOF!!!

Hi Paul,
it isn't possible to make it sharper, so wonderful - also the colours and the impressive eye and beak.
Excellent shot, thanks
Sabine - wishnugaruda

HI Paul,
this is great portrait with lovely colours.
Well composed, great POV and DOF. The colours are lovely.
A small part over the beak is slighly OE, but thats a minor nit.
Great work, my friend.

  • Great 
  • carper Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2165 W: 124 N: 2567] (8208)
  • [2006-03-20 11:16]

what can I say Paul,
Marvelous shot, very good head, realy great job, my compliments for it.
gr. jaap

  • Great 
  • Fisher Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1540 W: 309 N: 2234] (8915)
  • [2006-03-20 12:14]

Hi Paul,

Excellent portrait of the American Bald Eagle, the background compliments this one. He/she is still in the immature stage, won't be long before the head is fully white.
Beautiful work and well done on the presentation.
The Island I live on, in Lake Huron, Ontario, has a good number as well. It's nice to see them.

Mike

Morning Paul

Wow... this is an awesome close portrait. Everything here is perfect with impressive visual impact. Top shot! :-)

Bonjour Paul
Tu nous envoies un super bel aigle, les couleurs et les détails sont très réussis. le BG est très joli.
Bravo et merci....JP

  • Great 
  • Zeno Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 475 W: 0 N: 926] (7973)
  • [2006-03-20 13:02]

Hi paul,

Very sharp details in this bird. Great colors also. The blue background fits well.

regards,

Zeno.

Hi Paul,
fine detailed capture of this magnificent bird, good to see Miles looked after you.

Regards
Terry.

Excellent capture Paul. Great sharpness/dof with a well blurred background and still lots of details - even the scratches on the beak are sharp. The starring look is great - like he is looking out for a prey. The composition is perfect with the neck down in the corner. Looks like a young bird allmost grown to adult as there are still some brown feathers left on the head. Really a wonderfull picture followed by a very informative note.

  • Great 
  • mrcrow Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 458 W: 123 N: 197] (2996)
  • [2006-03-20 13:52]

that is RAZOR sharp...you dont mess with this one and the eye says...keep your distance
best of the eye feather combinations yet..and the best shot of this bird..hard full head profile..makes me think of the roman legions and their eagles...

Excellent details and sharpness, perfect composition and great colours. Fantastic work! Well done, Paul. Thank you for posting.
Gr.
Heinz

  • Great 
  • sAner Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1654 W: 79 N: 1456] (4742)
  • [2006-03-20 14:44]

Excellent! I must say this is one of the best bird portraits I have seen in a while. Wonderful stuff! Exposure is spot on and the details are just so sharp. Great colors too. TFS!

Regards,
Pieter

Superb shot. Bravo!
Maurizio

hi paul
il n'a pas l'air commode l'animal,mais la photo est splendide,bravo.
laurent

  • Great 
  • AndyB Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1592 W: 32 N: 1361] (3978)
  • [2006-03-20 17:07]

Hello Paul,
A fantastic portrait.
Excellent quality,very nice detail and you got a nice blue sky BG too.
Great shot.

TFS

Have a good week.

Hi Paul,
Good detail, colours and sharpness of the eye and beak.
Composition and lighting are good. Good POV and framing.
Is it my eyes, or do you have a bit of dirt on your lens Paul? just beneath the head of the eagle in the BG.
Thanks for posting, have a great week.

Beautiful side profile of the magnificant raptor, the detail is incredible with beautiful colors. So now that Alan spotted the dirt on your sensor, how are you going to clean it, will you take it in to an authorized repair for Canons or do you deal with the issue yourself. :)

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1676 W: 5 N: 2144] (11878)
  • [2006-03-20 20:42]

Excellente prise Paul!

Félicitations pour les détails dans le plumage et le regard perçant de l'oiseau. Bravo pour les couleurs justes et réelles.

Merci pour l'envoie et bonne soirée.

joseph

Incredible!just perfect,well photograph...

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3451 W: 144 N: 5892] (17458)
  • [2006-03-20 22:17]

What a strong profile he has, so regal and grumpy looking all combined!
Superb shot Paul, excellent sharpness and details. Colours great too against the BG
Well shown, TFS
Janice

very sharp paul and a pleasure to view.
Good to meet up with at libertys.
regards
Mike

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2829 W: 75 N: 8024] (26857)
  • [2006-03-21 4:44]

Hi Paul!

Yes, this is perfect portrait of this proud bird. Everything is superb here. I love its dangerous eye and big beak.

Hi Paul,
A superb portrait on this Bald Eagle! The colors and detail in this shot are top shelf. I rcently went to a bird sanctuary and got alot of shots but the light was poor. Here it is excellent. Nice work!
Scott

Hi Paul,
Wonderful piece of work, wish it was mine :)
Beautiful! Very well done.

Hi Paul,
majestical beauty, perfectly taken with excellent sharpness and noble, subdued colours.
Very elegant pose and presentation.
Great shot. Thanks and regards,
Peter

Hello Paul!
Amazing portrait.Details are tack sharp.POV,framing and
lighting are perfect.Thanks for sharing.

Hello Paul,
This is a great shot! Love the look of the eye and beak with a little beard-like thing under it. Everything is razor sharp.
The rest of the head looks a bit strange to me because of the brown feathers. At first sight I though that the white featheres got dirty somehow.
Anyway, everything is perfect here, especially the lovely blue BG.
VERY WELL DONE!

Superb portrait Paul Good to meet you
Geoff

Hi,
It's a incredible macro shot... The colors and clarity are perfect... Beautiful details and wonderful shot...
Thanks Ana:)

Hi Paul, Hope all's going well been a little busy moving into our new home here in Sweden and today up and running again to surf the world and start TN again.
And what a good start to see some more of your excellent posting on here. This is a fab shot and well worth all the top marks. I think these birds of prey are just magnificient. Excellent details, portrait and colours.

Top stuff


Demetrio

  • Great 
  • Dando Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 643 W: 32 N: 790] (3052)
  • [2006-03-23 5:14]

Hi Paul, great shot with excellent detail, colour and focus. TFS.
Dean.

A beautiful shot of her superb detail and a wonderful pose. She really is a beauty.

Val

  • Great 
  • BHo Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 22 W: 0 N: 20] (99)
  • [2006-04-25 12:15]

Wicked photo, Paul. You captured this magnificant creature and his eyes wonderfully. Your note is very helpful too. Great work.

Regards,
Bennett

  • Great 
  • RII Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 478 W: 0 N: 872] (2752)
  • [2006-05-17 17:31]
  • [+]

Hi Paul.
Wonderful portrait eagle,very nice details colors and composition, is a excellent close up.

Saludos....RICARDO

Hi Paul,
Everything is already said.
Amazing close-up.
Guy

  • Great 
  • hibou Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 197 W: 1 N: 348] (1537)
  • [2007-02-06 19:52]

Hello Paul,
What a perfect portrait. Details and colors are really impressive. TFS
Donald

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