p.1 #1 · Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve (image heavy)
Congratulations to mitesh for winning Feature Thread of the Week with 3 votes - View Previous Winners
Thanks to Geoff for inspiring me to make the trek out to Haines, AK to visit the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. It is truly a place to be experienced. I arrived in Haines with a mental list of images that I wanted to come away with, but most of all, I also wanted to capture the emotion of being here and to include the eagles' beautiful habitat in the images.
Apologies for the image heavy post, but I figured the forum is going to get inundated with eagle posts soon, so I might as well get them all out of the way in one post. With so many images, I won't ask for C&C, but I would be most appreciative for any and all comments, suggestions, and especially constructive criticisms.
p.1 #7 · Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve (image heavy)
This is incredible. Very hard to pick a favorite. I like the EIF shots, but the wider angle landscape shots, in particular 22, 23, 27, are very impressive, too.
p.1 #10 · Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve (image heavy)
Ok, now that I got that out of the way, a few comments....first, I loved the comment you made about having mental images of what you wanted to photograph...having that "checklist" served you very well in accomplishing your photographic goal. All too easy to, no pun intended, focus on the main subject and forget about the stage, backdrop, whatever and you most certainly came away with some breath taking images of Haines' magnificent scenery. I think those images, with the eagles being observers of the mountains and landscape, in fact, are the strongest and the ones I would be printing. The close ups are all wonderful with the calling eagle and 4, 6,12, 14 20, 25 also top choices.(I keep going back and might just add the whole lot to the favorites soon!)
So glad you got what you wanted....Geoff suggested you might want to chuck your 7D2 in the river...and considering the amount of equipment you brought (24-70 100-400, 200-400, 800) you'd hardly miss it on the plane flight back....I share your love-hate with that camera (misery loves company )...but you do seem to have gotten some striking images with it so I'd likely give it another chance at least until April when the 1DxM2 comes out...then ditch the sonofabitch .
Also really glad that Geoff was a much better host than we were with him as he actually produced birds to photograph and not 60mph winds in a driving snow storm...I'm sure you will have the occasional image that you still haven't shared and will be looking forward to them.
Eric
p.1 #11 · Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve (image heavy)
A great set Mitesh. I'm with Eric - as much as I enjoyed the eagle shots, the landscapes with eagles in them are stronger. If you decide to print any of these, I think the landscapes would be a better reminder of your trip ~ Ron
p.1 #12 · Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve (image heavy)
I'm really glad you decided to shoot and share so many of the wider shots from your trip Mitesh. In my mind they steal the show. I know how difficult it is to break with the order of the day, photographing eagles, and then shift into the mindset of trying to capture the environment and all the non eagle beauty of the area you visiting. I think you did a marvelous job of that, kudos for that I like that you left the blue light blue in the landscapes, that works very nicely and conveys the tranquil feel of the moment as well as translating the dim light and the difficulties that brings. For the wider shots my picks are 1, love the feel of that one and 8, a marvelously sublime shot. Looking at the eagle shots and the exif data I'm reminded of shooting eagles in my neck of woods during our winter eagle season, it isn't easy. I think you did a great job getting sharp shots and the correct WB in your processed images. I can also still hear the echos of your head exploding from having to work with multiple targets and the decisions/challenges that presents 12 is my pick of the birdies, I like so much about that image. There is just the right amount of blowing snow, the wind blown feathers, the expression, the flow of the image and overall comp make that one a true standout for me. I might suggest cropping or removing the bare log on the bottom right ? For my eyes it's a bit of a distraction to the subtle blend of whites that make up the canvas.
Great work Mitesh, I'm sure you guys loved every minute of it!
p.1 #14 · Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve (image heavy)
You definitely captured the emotion of being there with these images, Mitesh. Your set shows the excitement of the action and the serenity of the place. Great techs and tasteful compositions make this set a masterpiece. Well done!
Socrate
)...but you do seem to have gotten some striking images with it so I'd likely give it another chance at least until April when the 1DxM2 comes out...then ditch the sonofabitch 
.
I like that you left the blue light blue in the landscapes, that works very nicely and conveys the tranquil feel of the moment as well as translating the dim light and the difficulties that brings. For the wider shots my picks are 1, love the feel of that one and 8, a marvelously sublime shot. Looking at the eagle shots and the exif data I'm reminded of shooting eagles in my neck of woods during our winter eagle season, it isn't easy. I think you did a great job getting sharp shots and the correct WB in your processed images. I can also still hear the echos of your head exploding from having to work with multiple targets and the decisions/challenges that presents 
12 is my pick of the birdies, I like so much about that image. There is just the right amount of blowing snow, the wind blown feathers, the expression, the flow of the image and overall comp make that one a true standout for me. I might suggest cropping or removing the bare log on the bottom right ? For my eyes it's a bit of a distraction to the subtle blend of whites that make up the canvas.