Low Ceiling Morning Flight

The sky was grey and mostly overcast with just a bit of filtered overhead sunlight hitting the top of this bald eagle as it flew over our heads last week. I wasn’t very happy with the weather and lighting conditions but…I did like the look of determination on this eagle’s face as it flew off toward the marsh!

35 thoughts on “Low Ceiling Morning Flight”

Gunta on March 16, 2013 at 4:56 pm said:

You can’t always get what you want…… still, a great shot that so many would be thrilled with.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 17, 2013 at 4:30 pm said:
  
  Yes often I have to take what I am given and try to make the most of it.
  Thanks Gunta.
  
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uthamz on March 16, 2013 at 5:11 pm said:

Even with such unfavourable conditions , the bird looks awesome !
Those sharp eyes are fantastic , Phil !
Congralations !!

utham

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- Phil Lanoue on March 17, 2013 at 4:30 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much utham I appreciate your kind comments!
  
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Chillbrook on March 16, 2013 at 5:15 pm said:

Fabulous shot Phil in less than ideal conditions. A little bit of photoshopping and you could put the eagle anywhere it’s outline is so clearly defined. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on March 17, 2013 at 4:31 pm said:
  
  Thank you Adrian, I’m very glad you like this eagle pic!
  
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pviette on March 16, 2013 at 6:08 pm said:

You’re right, the look on its face is awesome ; so is the photo. You’re gooood.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 17, 2013 at 4:31 pm said:
  
  Thanks a bunch Patricia, glad you like it!
  
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Bella Remy Photography on March 16, 2013 at 6:59 pm said:

Definitely on a mission! Sometimes we have to take the lighting we were dealt.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 17, 2013 at 4:32 pm said:
  
  Yes he looked quite purposeful, I suspect he went looking for the Mrs.
  Can’t do much to change the weather, as you say I play the cards I’m dealt. 🙂
  
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Garden Walk Garden Talk on March 16, 2013 at 7:18 pm said:

Really fine shot! Any tips on shooting against the bland sky? I rarely get any definition in the bird with gray day shooting.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 17, 2013 at 4:36 pm said:
  
  Thanks, glad you like this!
  The key to getting something out of a situation like this I feel is exposure. By that I mean manual exposure. I try to manually set the camera to hopefully properly expose for the bird and just live with however the background turns out. Any Auto setting would have likely over exposed the scene and silhouetted the bird.
  
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Charlie@Seattle Trekker on March 16, 2013 at 7:44 pm said:

It is a great photo, really excellent work. It almsot pulls you right into what the eagle is thinking.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 17, 2013 at 4:37 pm said:
  
  I greatly appreciate the kind words, thanks!
  
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lylekrahn on March 16, 2013 at 8:53 pm said:

The eye still has it!

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- Phil Lanoue on March 17, 2013 at 4:37 pm said:
  
  As long as the eye is not on me I’m OK. 🙂
  
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2me4art on March 16, 2013 at 10:13 pm said:

Amazing, Phil. But be careful, he has his eye on you. -amy

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- Phil Lanoue on March 17, 2013 at 4:39 pm said:
  
  Thanks Amy and yes sometimes it seems these guys will give me a good look over. I’m just hoping they think I’m an odd type of tree or something. I have the same attitude toward the alligators looking at me. 🙂
  
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  - 2me4art on March 18, 2013 at 2:05 pm said:
    
    I hope so, but I believe eagles are know for sight. He probably could feel your body heat & what you ate for breakfast.
    the alligators don’t think you are a tree, they are wondering if you would make a good breakfast! ha.
    amy
    
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janmasyn on March 17, 2013 at 5:52 am said:

Even with the grey & overcast sky you did a great job Phil, excellent.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 17, 2013 at 4:39 pm said:
  
  Thank you Jan, I appreciate you commenting and glad you like this eagle shot.
  
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monisertel on March 17, 2013 at 9:34 am said:

Dear Phil,
that’s FREEDOM pure!!! Love this pic!
Wish you a nice Sunday
moni

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- Phil Lanoue on March 17, 2013 at 4:40 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much moni!
  I hope you enjoyed your Sunday.
  
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Amy on March 17, 2013 at 9:53 am said:

Great shot! Perfect angle for the shot, you captured the look of his/her determination.
Happy Sunday, Phil!

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- Phil Lanoue on March 17, 2013 at 4:40 pm said:
  
  Thanks much for the kind words Amy, I greatly appreciate it!
  
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thehappyhugger on March 17, 2013 at 11:33 am said:

I love eagles, they look so powerful and also beautiful. Nice pics, Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 17, 2013 at 4:41 pm said:
  
  We are always thrilled to have one of these birds around, and never get tired of seeing them!
  Thanks very much!
  
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mariayarri on March 17, 2013 at 5:42 pm said:

What a majestic bird the bald eagle is …. He or she is just perfect, and i love the eyes .
I don´t want to have this one as my enemy 😉 // Maria

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- Phil Lanoue on March 19, 2013 at 9:56 am said:
  
  He is an impressive bird and yes I would want him as my friend for sure!
  Thanks Maria!
  
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FeyGirl on March 17, 2013 at 11:24 pm said:

Just amazing….

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- Phil Lanoue on March 19, 2013 at 9:57 am said:
  
  Thanks much I appreciate you looking and commenting!
  
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adinparadise on March 18, 2013 at 5:48 pm said:

Your becoming an expert at capturing facial expressions, Phil. Love this one too. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on March 19, 2013 at 9:57 am said:
  
  I’m very happy you enjoyed the look on our boy’s face here Sylvia! Thanks!
  
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Jon Rista on March 20, 2013 at 1:32 pm said:

Great shot. Love the pose, very nice. Too bad about the backlighting…I hate that, always causes CA around the edges of the bird.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 20, 2013 at 3:27 pm said:
  
  Thanks, glad you like it. Sometimes as in a case like this I just have to live with and try to make the most of what I’m given to work with. I’m not a huge fan of open blue sky (or worse yet grey sky) flight shots anyway but raptors are often high flyers and if that’s where they are, that’s where I photograph ’em.
  
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