Eagles in Flight and a Great Grey Owl

pathfinder

I continue to mine my Lightroom catalog which goes back about 14 years for files that I think can be edited better today than when originally shot, and I have a few new images that I rather like - I am interested in other viewer's opinions about them, and serious suggestions for improvement.

From Alaska in 2012 shot with a 1DMk IV and a 70-200mm zoom

From Alaska 2015, shot with a Canon 7D MK II and a EOS 100-400 v2

A great grey owl from the Rehab Center in Sitka in monochrome, shot with a Canon 5D Mk IV and an EOS 100-400 v2

Comments and criticisms heartily encouraged

Tony Britton

Technically and artistically superb work. Congratulations!

Tony

pathfinder

Thank you, Tony - very kind words.

Folks should really look at your home page to see some lovely images which you capture and render so nicely. Kudos!! - https://tonybritton.smugmug.com

ziggy53

You've been holding out on us. These are great!

Love the first two raptors, but that owl steals the show!

denisegoldberg

These are amazing! The first is my favorite - it's clear the eagle is looking at and possibly diving towards something, very cool!

pathfinder

Thanks Denise, I have lots of images of eagles with their heads turned at least 90 degrees from their body as they bank before a dive - I love that pose the eagles make as they twist in the sky to turn as they dive, and keep their prey firmly locked onto with their gaze

Kevin, I have a mature bald eagle with the backdrop of the sky seen with the juvenile that you might like - couldn't decide whether I liked it or the juvie best when I first posted this thread

ziggy53

Oh yes, it's almost a 'Superman' pose with some serious hang time. Love it!

Dramatic bird with a dramatic background. WooHoo!

Cavalier

Outstanding shots and processing. Number 2 is my favorite.

pathfinder

Thanks Jo, I like #2 a lot also, but I like #4 equally well, or better depending on my mood. Juvenile eagles usually don't look regal when I've seen them, frequently wet, muddy or dirty as they are learning their trade in Alaska, but this one looked regal I thought.

fool4thecity

Outstanding!

Stumblebum

Stunner Jim! However, that moustache or lip shaped dark cloud is distraction in couple of them.....

pathfinder

Taz, I get where you're coming from and yet in the first image I kind of like it as a counterpoint to the juvie below and to the left of it.

In the last image I like how it is almost a mirror reflection of the V of the eagles wings. But yes, I can see that it does create tension for the viewer's eye for viewing time vs. the eagle which ostensibly is the subject of the image.

I may play with the files and see what I think if the dark area is cloned out, but my first impression is I would prefer to keep them as they are -

Will be interested to hear other viewer's feeling in this regard.

pathfinder

Here is a quick rendition of the last one - it is not easy to remove that large dark area without leaving some trace but this is my first attempt

pathfinder

Here's the first one minus the dark cloud - smaller file but it looks fine

Stumblebum

Love both Jim! Focus for my eye is now only on lovely creatures.... although I do agree that the dark mass was adding bit of mysterious element.....cheers!!

jerryr

The Owl image is amazing - thank you for sharing!

pathfinder

I am pleased you like it, Jerry, especially rendered in monochrome.

double_entendre

Absolutely amazing captures. Love the first and third in the first post and the bald eagle in your follow on post is astounding. Looks like an amazingly detailed oil painting. I love the texture. Not sure if I prefer it with the cloud in the background or not, to be honest.