I have, over the last few years, searched out every bald eagle that I can find.  Two weeks ago, I was lucky enough to get a chance to get this shot.  Look at his expression.  He is so intense, searching out what he wants.  No doubt, he is determined, as his eyes express to us.   I love the Bald Eagle for so many reasons.  They are totally loyal to each other as mates and mate for life.  When the mother is setting on the nest, the daddy will fly in to take her place so she can have a break.  When you watch her, you will know that the mate is flying in long before you see him.  She will slowly lift her head and turn her eyes in his direction, in anticipation.

I love the intensity in the eyes, such boldness and determination.   There is so much power and strength in their large wings.   I feel that I can learn so much from the eagle.  I can learn determination, patience, and the ability to watch for an opportunity.  When the opportunity arises, I can be ready.  I can have the strength to take it.

I shot this picture from my car window, about eight miles from my home.  Of course, I killed my engine to get a good shot.  The slightest vibration of your engine, can ruin a shot like this one.   He was sitting in the top of a tree.  The wind was blowing through his feathers.  The sun was bright and I had to make sure I was focusing on the eagle, not letting the camera lens do the focusing for me.  Many times, you will get a picture back that you felt was a perfect shot, only to find that your main subject was too dark to see, but the sky was beautiful.  You made the mistake of letting the camera focus for you and it picked up what was the brightest, or even sometimes, what was closer to the camera.  Always take the time to slow down and focus on the subject that you are wanting to capture.  I know this may be hard when there is a majestic Bald Eagle sitting there is a tree just waiting for you to capture it.  At anytime, it could fly away…but remember if your shot is dark or blurry, what have you really captured to share with others?  Isn’t that what it’s really about…sharing with others?

Thank you to everyone who has purchased my Nature and Wildlife Photography. Many of you have asked how you can see more of it. I have lots and lots of new great stuff under my PHOTO ART FOR SALE category.  Be sure to check it out.  I have lowered some of my prices to help out in these rough times.  There is absolutely no reason why your home or office shouldn’t be decorated with beautiful sunrises, sunsets, peaceful lakes and streams, or rushing waterfalls.

I shot this picture with a slow shutter speed so I could capture the misty effect. This is at Lost Valley, in Ponca, Arkansas after a huge rain in the fall. This waterfall is a triple falls.  I used my wide angle lens to be able to get the height.

So many times I see a picture that someone has taken, and I can immediately tell that it was shot on an automatic setting with auto focus. The subject will be dark and even though it might be a pretty good shot, it is almost impossible to see.  If you think about it, the sky is usually much lighter than your subject and for that matter, much larger or maybe the ground is covered with snow….white snow.  What is the most easily seen thing in the picture….your subject, the sky, or the snow?  Which one did your eye have to work the hardest to see?

Don’t be afraid to try your hand at manual settings.  Turn the auto focus off and play around with your camera. Learn to trust your own focus. Yes, you may miss a few shots, but I’ll bet in the long run, you will get more than you miss, with a little practice. Your pictures will actually be in sharper focus and your big buck, eagle, or just that little butterfly that you are trying to capture, will be what is in focus, not so dark you can’t see it.  Happy shooting and check back in for more tips! Talk to me, I welcome your comments.