Canon 5D Mark II, 70-300mm, f/5.6, 1/30, iso 2000
When I saw this image on my screen and started processing it, on New Years Eve, I thought maybe my resolution should be to make more images like my blog buddy Diane Varner. I have mentioned many times my reverence for her image making skills. I like the work of many photographers, but she is one of my top favorites.
And every once in a while I have an image that I feel is in her signature style. I like to call it "channelling Diane." If you'd like to read the back story on today's image, click on the Continue link below.
The mail comes late where we live. Usually around 4 pm. And being dead of winter, it gets dark early here. As I walked across my driveway to get the mail on New Year's Eve I heard the familiar cry of the eagle pair that lives near my home. They were flying right toward me, maybe 20 feet overhead. They then landed on the snag tree right behind our home, their frequent perch.
I quickly got my camera and my 400mm. I found I wasn't able to get both birds in the frame, so after a few individual shots I went back for the 70-300mm. Given the low level of light, I pumped the ISO way beyond my usual practice. Seeing the shutter speed I was getting, I wasn't too hopeful. I wouldn't get a clear shot and it would be noisy. But no matter, I'm 59 feet away from a couple of beautiful eagles.
One then flew away, and I wasn't able to get focus in the low light. I knew the other would follow, so I locked in the focus and sure enough he or she took off moments later and I got several interesting ones including today's image.
Yes, it would be a good year if I had more "channelling Diane" images! We'll see.
