I spent some time at Charleston Lake in Arkansas recently. I was sitting in my pickup when this immature Bald Eagle flew by. It had a fish clamped firmly in its talons.
Wildlife Notes
Immature Bald Eagles do not have the iconic white head and tail. They usually take four or five years to get those white feathers. These young birds are still very skilled hunters. They use their incredible eyesight to spot fish from high above.
Their sharp talons provide a powerful grip. This ensures the fish does not slip away during flight. Bald Eagles once faced extinction due to pesticides like DDT. Thankfully, conservation efforts helped the population grow. Now they are a common sight across much of the country. I always enjoy seeing them thrive in the Arkansas River Valley.
Photography Notes
I stayed in my truck to avoid spooking the bird. My pickup makes a great mobile blind for bird photography. I used my Canon R5 for these shots. I paired it with the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens.
The light at the lake was bright enough for a fast shutter speed. I set it to 1/4000 of a second to freeze the motion of the wings. My aperture was at f/7.1 to get the best sharpness at 500mm. I used Auto ISO which settled at 1250. This gave me plenty of detail on both the bird and its prey.
Gear Used:
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
Technical:
- Location: Charleston City Lake (Arkansas)
- Date and Time Taken: January 23, 2023 (10:04 A. M.)
- Aperture: f7.1
- Shutter speed: 1/4000
- ISO: 1250 (Auto)
- Focal Length: 500 mm
Watching an eagle hunt is always a thrill. It reminds me how resilient these birds are. I hope you enjoy the photos from this encounter.