Angel Star Photography Loc: Tacoma, WA

This capture was somewhat of an accident. I was prepared to fire off shots in a burst as the eagle turned towards me, but unfortunately, one shot fired and then the camera died---battery dead. By the time I had retrieved a fresh battery the eagle was gone. He was quite a distance away but as I fumbled quickly to insert a fresh battery, he turned towards me, closed the distance, and then turned away disappearing behind the trees. I was surprised to have even got this shot.

Camera: Canon 5D4
Lens: Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary with a 1.4x teleconverter
Focal Length: 840mm
Aperature: f/11
Shutter: 1/500
ISO: 400
No tripod, handheld...

(Download)

JoAnneK01 Loc: Lahaina, Hawaii

Great focus for such a great distance. Download is very good. Love the color of the clouds. Mahalo for sharing.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

The picture has something - and it is different. I like it.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Beyond the photo... You are telling a story about the problems of photography life and giving camera details... yep, if a battery fails it will be just at the wrong time. Too few in UHH tell a story and they would label the photo ..."Bird" and give no camera setting details. I commend you for that, indeed. The photo is sharp and you, with the cooperation of the bird got a once in a lifetime shot.... in spite of problems.
PS: Eagles are carrion and eat the dead, do they eat dead batteries too?

Suggestion: I downloaded and jacked up the photo to 250%... I would then crop putting the bird at the upper right 1/3 1/3. The eagle is the main character in your story, not the clouds. At 250% the bird is in the blue flying into the sunset red sky.

Generally, in Western Culture the future is right and the past left so consider doing a horizontal flip. The main character will soon reach the sunset; future event.

Angel you deserve a Star this is a really good shot.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

Whilst there is a temptation to crop to provide more detail, this picture is about the high soaring lone
eagle in the vast expanse of sky. For me it seems perfect as it is - and different.

Angel Star Photography Loc: Tacoma, WA

Thank you, dpullum. I will give your suggestion a try. The shot as presented, however, is the result of trying different crops close into the eagle and further out. When I reached this point and framing it such that the clouds flowed from the corners it evoked feelings loneliness coupled with peaceful serenity amidst the chaos of a forthcoming storm---there was a strong wind and rain was expected; yet, the sun would occasionally interrupt the dreary overcast with a brief brush of light---and it was a feeling I identified with in my life experiences. Of course, there may have been some additional influences due to my drive home in which I was singing along with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy to a song titled, "It's Lonely at the Top"---love the trumpet solo in it, too....)))

Angel Star Photography Loc: Tacoma, WA

Thank you, Delderby, on both of your comments. For me, there is a sense being alone but peaceful that this image brings out.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Angel Star Photography Loc: Tacoma, WA

I used one of your suggestions, the horizontal flip, and I agree that it does give the image a different sense or perspective. I also enhanced the clouds a bit to present the view of a lone eagle coming out of the storm or darkness and going into the sunset/sunrise---it could be either but ultimately to a brighter moment. I think this will be final edit. Comments are welcomed.

(Download)