I photographed this young Bald Eagle in flight at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. I was driving the auto tour road when I spotted the eagle feeding on a Snow Goose in an open field. It was a quiet morning, and the bird was focused on its meal.
When another vehicle approached, the eagle lifted off. I grabbed my camera and pulled over. I rested my lens on a bean bag over the open truck window and started shooting as the bird flew low across the field.
The mostly brown plumage made it clear this was a juvenile Bald Eagle, likely less than five years old. As it flew, I captured a series of images showing its full wingspan. At nearly six feet wide, the wings looked massive as the eagle glided just above the grass.
The morning light helped. It created soft backlighting that outlined the bird and added depth to the scene. Everything came together quickly, and the moment passed just as fast.
Seeing a young Bald Eagle take flight like this is always exciting. Being able to photograph it felt like a gift. Moments like this are why I keep going back to Sequoyah. I’m already looking forward to my next visit, hoping for another encounter like this.
Gear Used:
- Camera: Canon EOS 1D Mark III
- Lens: Canon EF 500 mm f/4L IS
Technical:
- Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge (Oklahoma)
- Date and Time Taken: December 22, 2010 (09:14:21 A.M.)
- Aperture: f5.0
- Shutter speed: 1/1250 sec. and 1/1000 on the second photo
- ISO: 500
- Exposure Compensation: 0
- Focal Length: 500 mm