Share this photo on Twitter Share this photo on Facebook

Spirit in the Sky

Posted by
Lee (Fort Frances Ontario, Canada) on 21 August 2009 in Animal & Insect and Portfolio.

This is one of the images I used A few days ago for the "ominous Flight" cloud and eagle composite. http://wildlife.aminus3.com/image/2009-08-18.html
Bald Eagles are such intimidating birds when they look at you. They have a stare that just penetrates deep into you. They command respect. It's no wonder when an eagle comes around any other bird feeding on carion instantly clears out. I think part of that intimidating look is due to the fact their eyes are on the front of their skulls not the side.

Thank you for visiting my site. I consider myself to be lucky living where I do. Everyday I wake up to a wealth of interesting visual scenarios. Most of my pictures are Wildlife and Nature taken from around the area. The area specifically being Fort Frances Ontario on beautiful Rainy Lake. Feel free to comment on what you see. I look forward to hearing from you. If you like what you see, please rate it. Better yet, bookmark the site and drop back often. I will be posting daily.
All images are copyrighted by Lee Oelke Photography. They cannot be reproduced, electronically, or by printing without my written consent. Should you be interested in any of my images, please contact me.

Lydie et Roland from BESANCON, France

Oh He doesn't smile at all !!!

21 Aug 2009 5:41am

@Lydie et Roland: He is very serious. No joking for this guy.

Simply Col from Winnipeg, Canada

one very handsome dude.

21 Aug 2009 5:48am

@Simply Col: He's primped and preened, ready for the weekend.

eva from Rouen, France

.......
impressive !

21 Aug 2009 5:59am

@eva: Thank you very much.

Christel from Köln, Germany

Good morning Lee,
ooohhhhhhhhh how beautiful. Never did I have a white-headed eagle in nature. These birds I like very much. Thank you for the explanation under the picture. In friendship, dear greetings Christel

21 Aug 2009 6:40am

@Christel: Thank you Christel. We have an abundance of Bald Eagles in the area. Photographic opportunities are endless.

Ana Lúcia from Leiria, Portugal

Excellent portrait! Majestic animal!

21 Aug 2009 6:49am

@Ana Lúcia: Thank you Ana. They are a proud bird with lots of attitude.

jamesy from christchurch, New Zealand

5 stars and the book cover maybe?? LOL

21 Aug 2009 7:09am

@jamesy: Thank you Debbie. I will keep that in mind.

Anthony Morgan Lambert from Bielefeld(Old West Wales boy), Germany

Brilliant and so majestic !!

21 Aug 2009 8:14am

@Anthony Morgan Lambert: Thank you.

Elena Kotrotsou from Drossia, Greece

5 stars definately! Excellent capture!

21 Aug 2009 8:35am

@Elena Kotrotsou: Thank you Elena. Have a wonderful weekend.

ManuelaR from Hainburg (Frankfurt/Main), Germany

5 stars from me too!!
Excellent portrait :)

21 Aug 2009 9:12am

@ManuelaR: Thank you very much. Enjoy the weekend.

Baby Sis from Canada

Great picture. I'M glad that is not my drill Sgt.!!
Have a great weekend.

21 Aug 2009 9:30am

@Baby Sis: Thanks Shelley. Every weekend is a good weekend. They all allow me time to take photos.

Mags from Paris, France

Very impressive eagle portrait!
Very well done!

21 Aug 2009 10:31am

@Mags: Thank you Mags. Amazing what a large lens will do for a shot like this.

mohkum from Muscat, Oman

Amazing details on the image! Is it pure white or the same colour? Great observation and some learning to me as well!

21 Aug 2009 12:23pm

@mohkum: Thank you very much. The head and tail of mature bald eagles are white. Young eagle are mottled brown and white. I am glad you enjoyed this shot.

Kaveh from Abadan, Iran

I'm Strong

21 Aug 2009 12:30pm

@Kaveh: Thank you.

Eleftheria from Athens, Greece

WOW!!!!!!!

21 Aug 2009 12:50pm

@Eleftheria: Thank you

marc from Granby, Canada

well captured with wonderful detail......

21 Aug 2009 12:57pm

@marc: Thank you very much

Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada

Indeed, I was saluting before I even scrolled down, wow impressive...he recognized a kindred soul ;)

21 Aug 2009 1:15pm

@Lorraine: Thank you Lorraine. Hope you enjoy the weekend.

MARIANA from Waterloo, Canada

wow.. what a super framing and closeup ! Excellent !

21 Aug 2009 1:21pm

@MARIANA: Thank you. A long lens helps to make it look close.

Eric Cousineau from Sherwood Park, Canada

Stunning capture of a wonderful bird Lee! You definitely have this form of photography mastered. Well done! ;-)

21 Aug 2009 2:13pm

@Eric Cousineau: Thank you very much Eric.

Rui from Leiria, Portugal

WOW Impressive capture. Awesome details!

21 Aug 2009 2:17pm

@Rui: Thank you Rui.

dan from Myanmar

mean looking bird.

21 Aug 2009 2:31pm

@dan: They have that look about them. Don't mess with me.

Don from spokane, United States

This is a fabulous close up that aptly demonstrates you description of the bald eagle. A wonderful stare!!!
Excellent shot.

21 Aug 2009 2:49pm

@Don: Many thanks Don.

Zaluska from Ostroleka, Poland

He's amazing, the king of sky!

21 Aug 2009 3:07pm

@Zaluska: Thahnk you. They are definately the royal fliers of the sky. Soaring with such grace.

Viewfinder from Bradenton, FL, United States

Awesome shot... awesome.

21 Aug 2009 3:17pm

@Viewfinder: Thank you very much Glenn

B. Thomas from Arlington, Texas, United States

Majestic - Like Zaluska says, he is the king of the sky!

21 Aug 2009 3:42pm

@B. Thomas: Thank you.

Rashveen from Norwich, United States

this is one very cool capture

21 Aug 2009 4:16pm

@Rashveen: Thank you

Ram from Bangalore, India

10*........... No more words....

21 Aug 2009 5:25pm

@Ram: Thank you very much.

LauraS from Chico, United States

How amazing is this? How close you were able to get. It's wonderful. And yes, all you say in your narrative is true. They are powerful, ominous creatures.

21 Aug 2009 5:55pm

@LauraS: Thank you Laura. I managed to get closer than the lens I was using was able to focus. I was impressed. Have a great weekend.

Tracy from La Selva Beach, United States

So impressive! Both the eagle and the photo! He does indeed have a very intense and penetrating stare!

21 Aug 2009 7:54pm

@Tracy: Thank you Tracy. They seem to be able to look deep inside you.

JanW from Rotterdam, Netherlands

Perfect! Have a nice weekend.

21 Aug 2009 8:18pm

@JanW: Thank you Jan. You also enjoy the weekend.

Zing from Hamilton, New Zealand

Why so serious? Lol. Excellent portrait!

21 Aug 2009 8:28pm

@Zing: Thank you.

Vanilla Wine from las vegas, United States

Powerful shot, beautiful portrait

21 Aug 2009 8:47pm

@Vanilla Wine: Thank you very much

Robert Smith from Phillipsburg, United States

5 star all the way. Fantastic detail.

21 Aug 2009 10:10pm

@Robert Smith: Many thanks Robert.

Barbara Kile from Ft. Worth, United States

Amazing detail. Great work!

21 Aug 2009 10:13pm

@Barbara Kile: Thank you Barbara.

daniela scharnowski from Berlin, Germany

a powerful portrait, lee. I love the strong cropping here and the natural colours.

21 Aug 2009 11:07pm

@daniela scharnowski: Thank you. I was amazed at how close I actually managed to get.

susan from Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States

Lee, you have REALLY outdone yourself this time!!!!! This is a phenomenal shot, and I really love the way it's cropped too!!! What a wonder!!!!

21 Aug 2009 11:18pm

@susan: Thank you Susan. I even impresed myself with how close I managed to get.

Double KK Photography from West Richland, United States

awesome photo

22 Aug 2009 12:12am

@Double KK Photography: Thank you Kirk.

Brett from McAllen, United States

Perfect capture. This bird of prey is just amazing and you captured his spirit wonderfully.

22 Aug 2009 1:53am

@Brett: Thank you Brett

mats from Texas, United States

There's something in that gaze..it's so penetrating. So majestic!

And how can he be bald, with all those lustrous feathers! hehehe.

22 Aug 2009 5:05am

@mats: Thank you MAts. I never really understood the reason for the name of this bird. Bald can only refer to the color not the plumage.

Magda from Vancouver, Canada

Wow! Outstanding! What a majestic portrait! :)) The detail is exquisite!

22 Aug 2009 6:52am

@Magda: Many thanks.

Markela from Greece

It's amazing how each animal is created to have its own unique features according to its needs...What a beautiful portrait of such a respected bird in the animal kingdom...Gorgeous, penetrating look and you captured it beautifully...

22 Aug 2009 1:55pm

@Markela: Thank you ever so much.

Claudia from Illinois, United States

Absolutely stunning!! This should have been the Spotlight photo of the day. Wow!!

22 Aug 2009 2:59pm

@Claudia: Thank you Claudia. Actually this shot was featured in the spot light 3 days ago. I thought I'd post this shot, cause it is pretty impressive by itself.

Veronique from Sarrouilles, France

yes probably (the eyes) I never thought of this. Now, how did you take this close-up ? this is an impressive picture

23 Aug 2009 8:31am

@Veronique: Thank you very much Veronique. Now, how did I get this close..... (I was in sneak mode)LOL. Actually I used my large lens set at about 1000mm, that's 20x magnification, plus the DSLR CCD= about 30x Magnification. Trust me It is not quite as close as it seems. When the bird put it's head down to feed, I would slowly approach. When it look my way I would freeze. I continued this till I got as close as I could before it flew. Approx 50 yards maybe.

Sarah from Suisse, Switzerland

What an intense shot. I somehow feel like nothing short of "Your Majesty" should be used to address this eagle!

23 Aug 2009 10:59am

@Sarah: Yes Sarah, you are right. Regal Eagle dor sure.

Didier DE ZAN from somewhere, France

GREAT protrait !!

23 Aug 2009 12:35pm

@Didier DE ZAN: Thank you Didier.

Elora from Genoa, Italy

you really cought him in all his glory! wow :)

24 Aug 2009 11:36am

@Elora: Thank you Elora. He just looked right into the lens. I'm sure he could tell you what color my eye was, he was looking that intent.

Jen from St. George, United States

Umm....... WOW!!! That is such a great capture! You have done justice to the majestic bird! :)

24 Aug 2009 11:23pm

@Jen: Thank you ever so much. Take care.

ilandsis from La Compote, France

could you smile

5 Sep 2009 6:20pm

@ilandsis: Can't take a look like that and turn it into a smile that easy.

Barbara from Florida, United States

Magnificent capture, powerful look.

22 Sep 2009 1:24am

@Barbara: Thank you.

This image has been featured in 1 Remix collection.

Beautiful animals from Aminus3! by Francisco