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Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca)


Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca)
Photo Information
Copyright: Yoram Shpirer (shpirery) Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 25 W: 0 N: 88] (1327)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-10-19
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 1D MkII N, Canon EF 500mm f/4 L IS USM
Exposure: f/4.5, 1/320 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Birds of Prey- RAPTORS (II), Hamlyn Guide - Birds of prey, The predator with the Prey 2 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-11-24 10:49
Viewed: 2111
Favorites: 5 [view]
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This species has a small global population, and is likely to be undergoing continuing declines, primarily as a result of habitat loss and degradation, adult mortality through persecution and collison with powerlines, nest robbing and prey depletion. It is therefore listed as Vulnerable.

Identification 75-84 cm. Large, dark eagle. Generally dark brown with white scapular markings and pale golden-cream nape. Grey base to tail. Juvenile brown fading to pale buff with dark flight feathers. Shows flat wings in flight. Similar spp. Golden Eagle A. chrysaetos is paler with less obviously bicoloured tail. Holds wings in flattened "V" shape. Steppe Eagle A. nipalensis lacks pale rusty yellow ventral area, bicoloured tail and pale scapulars. Voice Repeated barking.

Range & population Aquila heliaca breeds in Austria, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, China, Czech Republic, Macedonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Turkey and Ukraine. Breeding has not been proved but possibly occurs in Afghanistan, Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Pakistan, Romania, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. On passage and in winter, birds are found in the Middle East, east Africa south to Tanzania, the Arabian peninsula, the Indian subcontinent and south and east Asia (from Thailand to Korea). The population is probably only a few thousand pairs, with a total population of 1,110-1,6249 pairs estimated in Europe. There was a rapid decline in Europe and probably in Asia in the second half of the 20th century. Recently the Central European population (121-134 pairs mostly in Hungary and Slovakia) has been increasing , while the Balkan population (81-126 pairs mostly in Bulgaria and Macedonia10) is apparently stable (although the last proven breeding in Greece took place in 1993). Recent surveys in Azerbaijan found relatively high densities in the north-western plains, estimating 50-60 pairs within a 6000 km2 study area. This suggests that the Caucasian population may have been underestimated (it was previously assumed that less than 50 pairs bred in Azerbaijan and Georgia. The majority of the world population breeds in Russia (total 900-1000 pairs) and Kazakhstan (750-800 pairs). Although these populations currently seem to be stable, the Russian population has been predicted to decline in the next three to five years.

References: BirdLife international
hansh, SelenE, Juyona, crs, Heaven, oanaotilia, Wild-Serbia, Miss_Piggy, Evelynn has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • hansh Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 308 W: 1 N: 526] (1944)
  • [2008-11-24 10:52]

Very nice picture of this eagle with a great expression. A very proud bird wich you've captured very well.
Tfs, gr.
Hans

  • Great 
  • joska Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 532 W: 0 N: 1257] (7086)
  • [2008-11-24 11:03]

Very nice photo, very rare bird! Congratulations!

its nice to see your pics every day again, dash Ori

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2410 W: 63 N: 4270] (13948)
  • [2008-11-24 11:08]

Hi Yoram,
I like the eye level POV, pose and expression you captured, clarity, focus, sharpness and lighting. TFS
Greetings

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2693 W: 93 N: 6313] (19888)
  • [2008-11-24 11:08]

Hello Yoram,
Again a high quality photo! Details, colours and the low POV (are you lying on the ground?)are superb. Fantastic OOF BG, DOF and composition. And again into my favorites.
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2309 W: 10 N: 2760] (15995)
  • [2008-11-24 11:35]

Hola amigo,
preciosa captura,
bella imagen y selecto foco...
hermoso pov,
saludos

  •      
  • cosmln Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 201 W: 12 N: 493] (1952)
  • [2008-11-24 13:26]

Hi Yoram,

this is just great.
WOW, TFS... this is a FAV.

cosmln

Hi Yoram,
Excellent capture of this magnificant Eagle with good pose and composition, sharp details and nicely blurred BG.
TFS
Pekka

  • Great 
  • crs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 523 W: 0 N: 920] (3543)
  • [2008-11-24 21:45]

Hello Yoram,

The bird is standing in a very good pose and you have captured it with very great skill. I like the low POV you have chosen showing so well the bird from ground level. You have capturd in an exccelent manner the look of the bird. Whole bird is in focus showin very well the details of the plumage. As light was well used you have rendered very many color tones so that image has a very natural look.

Thank you for sharing,
Cristian

Hi Yoram!

Your picture is beautiful and impressive. The colours and the lighting are superb, the rich details are well highlighted by a magnificent clarity of the picture. I also like the position and the expression of the bird. Moreover, your notes are very interesting.

Kind regards

Markus

Hi Yoram

Stunning shot of this impressive raptor
Brilliant composition, sharpness and plumage detail
Great low-down POV

Chris

Hello Yoram
Absolutly amazing! The moment, the bird itself...everything in this picture is amazing. I am sory, but I have no other comments, critiques.
Regards, Oana

Hallo Yoram
A wonderful image with clear details of this majestic bird. Your focus here was spot on, which is proof to me of your great talent as photographer. A lovely close-up pose with stunning colours and sharp details. The coloured patterns and detail on the feathers is really something special. Well done, it was a real pleasure to look at. Thanks for sharing this splendid moment captured.
Kind regards
Anna

This is another really beautiful image Yoram. The low point of view is so effective. That sideways pose rendered the whole bird in good focus. Lovely work.

TFS
Evelynn : )

High quality photo.
Regards,
Eyal

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