White-bellied Sea-Eagle

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White-bellied Sea-Eagle
Photo Information
Copyright: Richard Cridland (rcrick) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 540 W: 39 N: 947] (3120)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-04-27
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 5D, Canon EF100-400 F4.5-5.6L IS USM, SanDisk Extr. IV 2Gb, Hoya 77mm Pro1 DMC UV LPF
Exposure: f/9.0, 1/400 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Map: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Selen's Favorites II [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-04-28 15:33
Viewed: 448
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I described this yesterday when I posted “Brahminy Kite II” as a large Black and White Kite (Eagle) as yet unidentified, well I’m pleased to say I can tell you it’s a Juvenile White-bellied Sea-Eagle.

So I would like to dedicate this to both "SelenE" and "Raptorman" whose in-flight shot’s really have inspired me to get out and discover more of my native wildlife.

I couldn’t believe my luck on Sunday having managed to get some shots of the Brahminy Kite, to suddenly see this majestic creature just soaring above the mangroves not far from me was unbelievable.

I’ve never seen anything like this in the wild and it was just amazing, my only wish it had come just a little closer to get a better shot.

The White-bellied Sea-Eagle has white on the head, rump and underparts and dark grey on the back and wings. In flight the black flight feathers on the wings are easily seen when the bird is viewed from below. The large, hooked bill is grey with a darker tip, and the eye is dark brown. The legs and feet are cream-white, with long black talons (claws).

The sexes are similar. As in other raptors (birds of prey), Males (2.5 kg - 3.7 kg) are slightly smaller than females (2.8 kg - 4.2 kg).The wingspan is about 1.8 m - 2 m. Young Sea-Eagles are brown as juveniles than slowly become to resemble adults in a patchwork manner, acquiring the complete adult plumage by their fourth year.

They feed mainly off aquatic animals, such as fish, turtles and sea snakes, but it takes birds and mammals as well. It is a skilled hunter, and will attack prey up to the size of a swan. Sea-Eagles also feed on carrion (dead prey) such as sheep and fish along the waterline. They harass smaller birds, forcing them to drop any food that they are carrying. Sea-Eagles feed alone, in pairs or in family groups.

White-bellied Sea-Eagles build a large stick nest, which is used for many seasons in succession. The nest can be located in a tree up to 30m above the ground, but may also be placed on the ground or on rocks, where there are no suitable trees. At the start of the breeding season, the nest is lined with fresh green leaves and twigs. The female carries out most of the incubation of the white eggs, but the male performs this duty from time to time.

Details; Shot Raw converted to Jpeg cropped and reduced in size, I also ran this though "Neat Image" to reduce some of the digital noise, then sharpened slightly for posting.

Camera Model Canon EOS 5D
Shooting Date/Time 27/04/2008 11:10:37 AM
Shooting Mode Aperture-Priority AE
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/400
Av( Aperture Value ) 9.0
Metering Mode Center-Weighted Average Metering
Exposure Compensation -1/3
ISO Speed 160
Lens EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Focal Length 400.0 mm
Image Size 475x665
Image Quality Superfine
Flash Off
White Balance Mode Auto
AF Mode AI Servo AF
Picture Style Neutral
Sharpness 5
Contrast 2
Saturation 2
Color tone 1
Color Space sRGB
Noise Reduction On
File Size 183 KB
Custom Function C.Fn:00-0
Drive Mode Continuous shooting
inked, boreocypriensis, SueThomson, matatur, jaycee, ramthakur, uleko, pablominto, SelenE has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Jamesp: White-bellied Sea-Eaglercrick 1 04-28 22:48
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • inked Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 125 W: 0 N: 213] (634)
  • [2008-04-28 16:27]

hi Richard,
awesome! these have got to be one of my fave birds around! i'm definitely going to check out the Port sometime soon!
really nice shot showing those amazing wings! nicely cropped and composed in the frame. pity it didn't come closer, but just to see one is pretty cool.. and to come away with a decent shot like that is always a nice bonus =)
nice one, tfs
Gethin

Richard - a great capture! clear and magestic :)

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1175 W: 0 N: 4262] (12492)
  • [2008-04-28 22:30]
  • [+]

Hi Rick

This is one of my favourite Australian birds - absolutely stunning. There is (or was) on who had a favourite perch where the Yellow Waters cruise turned round in Kakadu (I have seen it on 3 of the 4 times I have visited).

Well catured - panning is (I find) a difficult technique to master. Good detail and framing.
TFS

James

Hello Richard , good photo of this majestic raptor , TFS and good luck .

Hello Richard,
Another splendid capture of a in-flight beautifull bird with nice details my friend! TFS.
Cheers,
Bayram

Hi Richard very nice shot of this White-bellied Sea Eagle. Very nicely done even for a 400mm. Very good quality seen in the detail with great colour. You lucked out and got a very nice contrasting sky to go with it. You've positioned the bird very well in the frame. Awesome!

Thanks, John

Hi Rick
Your perseverance has been rewarded. A great stake out with a great result. I like the positioning of the bird in the frame and you have done well to get him from the distance. TFS and I MUST get on down to the Port with my camera..it is all happening there!
Cheers
Sue

A magnificent in-flight capture displaying a perfect ventral aspect of this fine eagle specimen Richard, thank you indeed for sharing this beauty with us, my friend.
Cheers,
Mehmet

Hi Rick
Majestic action shot with great color tones in the wings
tfs jon

Hi Rick,
Very cool to be neighbors:).. Awesome shot!! I know how difficult it is to catch birds in flight and one always wants to get closer... Exceptional image..

Cheers
Jane

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1631 W: 8 N: 3966] (12702)
  • [2008-04-30 9:40]

Hi Rick,

Another magnificent in-flight shot. This Sea-Eagle is beautiful and you have frozen him in a splendid position. Excellent colors and wonderful details. The wings are amazing.

Jane

I only envy people who can take pictures of birds in flight, Richard.
Unfortunately, I am too slow to do it and whenever I have tried it, it has turned into disaster!
Your image of a flying Sea Eagle is very sharp and clear. The bird looks majestic against the deep blue sky.
I think the expert guys and gals get the flying bird's eye in sharp focus most of the time. You ought to do that next, or have you done it already?
Thanks and have a great day.
Ram

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2227 W: 168 N: 6465] (20298)
  • [2008-05-02 4:19]

Hello Rick,
Very impressive in-flight shot of the White-bellied Sea Eagle, a beautiful bird that we've seen in Singapore once. You've captured in lovely back-light and focussed in really well. Very sharp details and beautiful colours. Excellent work!
Many thanks and cheers, Ulla

Hello Rick,
A fine composition with this lovely bird!
The point of view gives great details in the impressive wings, pattern and details are nicely captured...
Greetings,
Pablo -

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2298 W: 58 N: 4010] (13114)
  • [2008-05-09 5:58]

Hi Richard,
I'm sorry that I've missed this one till now... Thank you for your kind words and dedication.
I like your POV and the details under the wings of this beauty. TFS
Best wishes,
Selen

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