Coastal Bald Eagle.

[Rubberhead]

The technician at Bear Island likes to push up berms inside the impoundments for the alligators. He hates running the alligators off of the dikes in cold weather when he drives around to check on things. The eagle decided he liked one of these alligator berms.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2510/4158112218_2b2ac89c12_b.jpg

[rkemmerlin]

That's a nice eagle shot showing the environment. I've been to Bennett's Point but never to Bear Island. Next time I'm in the area I'll check it out. Must have been a thrill to see this guy, good job Rubberhead.

[barmstrong]

I agree, it is a nice eagle shot and a good shot of the area. There looks to be another bird in the tree line to the left.

[jckegley]

The bird pops out nicely from the background.

Is Bear Island WMA only by boat?

[Rubberhead]

That's a nice eagle shot showing the environment. I've been to Bennett's Point but never to Bear Island. Next time I'm in the area I'll check it out. Must have been a thrill to see this guy, good job Rubberhead.

Thanks rkemmerlin. My longest is a 200mm so I get a lot of environmental shots. :o

I agree, it is a nice eagle shot and a good shot of the area. There looks to be another bird in the tree line to the left.

Thanks. The bird on the tree line was probably a mottled duck. Some of the spots that look like sensor dust are tree swallows that were swallowed up in the bokeh.

The bird pops out nicely from the background.

Is Bear Island WMA only by boat?

I am on South Carolina's Waterfowl Advisory Committee reporting to the SCDNR Board. We got a tour of Bear Island by the staff November before last. We were in several trucks. BI is open for birding and photography for most of the year but closes to outside admittance from about October through March.

[Squatty]

Some of the spots that look like sensor dust are tree swallows that were swallowed up in the bokeh.

You could have told me that from my other comments :D

I still love this shot!

[jckegley]

I just noticed something.

There is a wide diagonal swath of gray coming down the sky right behind the eagles tail. Is that rain?

You can really notice it if you grab the scroll bar on your browser and move it up and down a bit.

[Rubberhead]

I just noticed something.

There is a wide diagonal swath of gray coming down the sky right behind the eagles tail. Is that rain?

You can really notice it if you grab the scroll bar on your browser and move it up and down a bit.

I think it's a stalk of grass very close to my lens. I was hunkered down hiding because I didn't want to spook the eagle.

I probably could have fixed it, but didn't really plan on posting this photo.

[Rubberhead]

You could have told me that from my other comments :D

I still love this shot!

You were so convincing... :o

or, maybe the tree swallows are just a cover story???

I really do think it was birds because the spots are moved in other photos. SC Wildlife used a photo out of the sequence for a story on eagles, but this one is my favorite because it really shows feather detail on the otherwise dark bird.

[Steve_E]

Great shot RH. I really like the composition and your timing was excellent.

[dddenton]

Really cool shot of an eagle in his natural environment. Great catch.