Some wildlife moments hit me as both powerful and a little funny. This Bald Eagle did that, it looked like it belonged on the front of an old car.
Wildlife Notes
I photographed this adult Bald Eagle perched high in a tall tree at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.
What grabbed me was the posture. The eagle sat upright and still, with its head lifted like it was posing on purpose. That stance is what made me think of the old decorative hood ornaments, the ones shaped like birds and built to look fast and proud.
Perched eagles can look inactive, but they are usually watching. A high perch gives them a wide view, plus an easy launch if something happens below. Even when they do nothing, they still look like they own the place.
Photography Notes
This photo was taken at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge on January 4, 2023 at 11:40 AM.
I used a long lens and a fast shutter speed to keep the image crisp.
Gear Used:
- Camera: Canon EOS R7
- Lens: RF 800mm F11 IS STM
Technical:
- Exposure Mode: Manual
- Aperture: f11 (Fixed)
- Shutter speed: 1/1600
- ISO: 500 (Auto)
- Exposure Compensation: -1 EV
- Focal Length: 800 mm (Fixed)
That -1 EV matters on an adult Bald Eagle. The white head and tail can blow out fast, especially in bright midday light. I would rather lift shadows later than lose detail in the whites.
Closing
I’ve photographed a lot of Bald Eagles, and I still slow down every time I see one. This one had the kind of “statue still” posture that makes a simple perch shot feel like a small story.
If you want to see more of my eagle encounters, here’s another perch photo I like: Young Bald Eagle In A Dead Cottonwood Tree