Bald Eagle on an icy marsh – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
Three days ago I photographed an adult Bald Eagle resting on the frost-covered, icy marsh at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in northern Utah. The eagle was way out on the ice but I liked the setting, the light and how small the large, powerful raptor was in the frame plus the long length of its shadow that blended right into the ridges in the ice.
I love obtaining frame filling images of birds but there are also times I enjoy having them smaller in the frame so the photos show more of the habitat of my avian subjects. The marshes at Bear River MBR are vast and during the winter after the snow has knocked much of the vegetation to the ground the expanse of the marsh is even more noticeable. Some might even say the marsh appears bleak or inhospitable during the winter but I don’t because I know that even in the depth of winter these marshes are full of life.
What can’t be seen clearly in this Bald Eagle photo is that in the background below the strip of standing vegetation on the horizon there was open water that was full of ducks, coots, a few swans, and an area where this eagle could hunt for those birds or fish.
Winter is about to lose its grip on these marshes and before too much longer the Bald Eagles I have seen on the refuge will make their way to their nesting grounds. The arrival of birds of spring is just weeks away now, some of them will be here even sooner than that. I can almost hear them now.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Bald Eagle photos plus facts and information about this species.
I do enjoy your habitat shots – and this beauty is no exception. Huge thanks.
Great photo, Mia.