Flight Check

[Steve_E]

A juvi Bald Eagle catching some air one day before its first flight.

Canon 1D Mark II / 500L / Tripod and Wimberley II

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Bird%20Photography/eaglefltprepccxx2.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Bird%20Photography/eaglefltprep3cc-1.jpg

[Idlewild]

Incredible....the second one simply rocks!

[Squatty]

Now there's two of your's I haven't seen, or at least I don't recall seeing them.

Very NICE on them both. Thanks for sharing.

[SandyLee]

This is great. Wow. How did you get the underside of the wing in detail on the first one? Both of these are outstanding, I think the first one gets my vote. Love the way his head is turned. Where were these shot? The state and county, not asking for your secret places. - SandyLee

[Steve_E]

Thanks Idlewild, Scott and Sandy.

Sandy, I was able to lighten the shadow on that wing some in post process. Fortunately the exposure was good enough that there was detail to be salvaged at the low end of the histogram. A dialed-down fill flash is almost a must with these dark birds, but I haven't made that investment yet.

[rpearce12]

Great job, Steve. What a treat to have watched this bird the day before it's first encounter with gravity!

[jckegley]

Great shot Steve. Can you give a general location (without giving away the nest location)? Just curious where you saw this guy.

[Steve_E]

Thanks Richard and Joe.

I have to add my apologies to Sandy. I neglected to say that this nest was located in Florida south of Orlando. I'll have to research some maps to find out a more specific location but honestly I may not be able to pin point it. I had never been there before and it was a very rural area on a farm road. I was amazed at how many nests are visible from the roads in that area, the trick is finding one low enough to the ground. South central florida has a very healthy population of Bald Eagles, hopefully I'll get down again in the spring and hunt for more.