I was looking into the sun when I spotted this Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) in a tree during a recent visit to Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The eagle took off before I could get into a better shooting position, but I was able to capture some of the sunlight shining through its tail feathers.
I wish I had been able to frame the photo a bit better, but it is always tricky when focusing on a perched eagle to figure out how much to zoom out in order to capture its entire wingspan. In this case, I was worried more about adjusting for the backlight, so that I would not have a silhouetted shot, and was not worrying about framing the photo.
It is amazing to realize how many different considerations were coursing through my brain as I tried to analyze the situation, predict the possibilities, and react to changes. I remember how overwhelmed and paralyzed I felt in this kind of a situation when I was just starting to get serious about my photography some ten years ago. Now I am much more comfortable with my gear and have a certain amount of muscle memory, so I am able to react more calmly and instinctively, without having to think consciously about all of the variables.
Every situation is different, though, and no matter how much I practice, there is still a spurt of adrenaline when a moment like this arrives and I realize I have to react instantaneously to take advantage of the situation. Things rarely works perfectly, but I am more than happy when they work as well as they did when I captured this image of the eagle’s takeoff.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Was it the A-Team that said, “I love it when a plan comes together.” ? You bring the equipment and experience to the trail, Mike. I like it when it works and we get to see things like this.
I do believe that was a line used by Hannibal Smith, the leader of the A-Team. When I think of that show, though, the line that always comes to mind is, “I pity the fool…” 🙂
Sometimes, I think that’s what the bird says when it looks at me – “I pity the fool trying to get my picture.”
A dramatic photo, Mike. I love it!
Nice Mike! Always fun to see & photograph Bald Eagles!
Good muscle memory Mike. Nice capture on that take off.
This photo is the result of an opportunity well met! It also is a fine example of where your years of preparation and persistence coalesce. Thank-you, Mr. Mike!