OK need some help because I am not from Washington state. This Bald Eagle was eating a fish (salt water) at Semiahmoo, northwest Washington (near Blaine).
What is the species of fish?
Canon 5Ds; 600mm F4; 200 ISO; 1/1250 sec and handheld
It is a bottom-dwelling fish (note white ventral surface)...and very dark dorsal (upper) surface.Both eyes on dorsal (top) side. If this were the east (LI Sound eg), I'd guess Sea Robin...but I am outa my league when visiting the west coast and trying to ID fish...
By the way this is an almost adult male Bald Eagle..still some black flecks on head...and tail has black tips. One more season and it will moult into full adult plumage.
Great images, the sharpness of the eagle in flight is superb. I'm especially impressed that you took these with the 5Ds. It proves that actuations per second isn't nearly as important as many of us think.
Thanks everyone for the kind comments and the suggestion of halibut as the fish in question...I'll do some research and report back.
Someone asked off-list if the sky is "natural" or did I use Photoshop to eliminate a cluttered background? Well...I was shooting in the Pacific Northwest...clouds, white skies and rain are not uncommon. Also, the eagle (there were two actually though the photos above show the same bird) was perched on a dead tree about 30 feet high, and I stationed myself on a small berm (hill) across the road. If any of you folks know the Semiahmoo resort - many eagles, ducks hang around there - and the eagles become more or less oblivious to people. That is how I was so close...and could move around much to get a better background. As for skill in taking these images...not really: bird images are a matter of luck and lots of time in the field...It helps having the right equipment and then just push the button (release the shutter).
same location showing two eagles at same spot - sun has appeared behind me; eagle on right is the bird in three photos above (a male)
