On a day devoted in the United States to the brave men and women who are serving and have served in out armed forces, it seemed appropriate that I was able to get some shots of a Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), our national bird.
For a short time early yesterday morning, this eagle circled over me at my local marsh park and then flew off to a distant tree, where its white head was still visible, but was out of range of my camera.
I’m still working on my techniques for photographing birds in flight and this eagle reminded me of the importance of light in trying to get a decent shot. As the bird circled and changed its wing positions, various parts of the body would come in an out of the light and in about half of my shots, the eagle’s head is in the shadows. When the eagle’s head was in the light, however, the brilliant white color often caused the details to blow out.
The final reminder of this experience is a familiar one for anyone who has attempted to photograph birds—I need a longer telephoto lens.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
You might relate to this poem about families and absence, “While He’s Away: A Poem About Being Gone.” http://wp.me/p3BzWN-lB
As a veteran of twenty years active service in the Army, I can certainly relate to the challenges faced by all during an extended deployment or unaccompanied tour that you describe so poignantly in your poem. Thanks for sharing the poem and for your service to our God and our country.
Thank you. Please feel free to share if you know others who can relate, too.
You described the challenges perfectly but still got the photo.
Bigger lenses are great if you can get focused on your subject in time. I think these photos are pretty darn nice, though.
Thanks. Any way you look at it, Sue, it’s a challenge with moving subjects. As you suggest, the focal length of the lens is only one part of the whole equation.
Not too long ago I saw a couple of deer in a field and was so fascinated by them I forgot that I was carrying a camera. I can imagine the same thing happening if I saw an eagle, so I say great job just getting these shots.
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