This image was taken at 'Birds of Prey' in Coaldale. It is an organization that rescues injured raptures, nurses them back to health and then releases them back to the wild. They also do a lot of educating, taking some of the birds that cannot be released back into the wild into the schools etc. This fellow was magnificent, with a 7 foot wingspan, simply breathtaking. I have a number of shots of him (her?).
Thanks for the comment, Dawn. Nice shot of the Golden Eagle. Ever seen one in the wild? They rarely fly here in Hutchinson, Kansas. I sometime mistake them for buzzards. Buzzards fly in groups. Eagles fly alone most of the time. They socialize when they are perch or near the ground. I noticed that you use a zoom a lot. Ever try a fixed or primed lens? You gain good sharpness with them for wild life photos. I'm going back using prime lenses when I get out of debt and fixed my old cameras. Again, very nice shot.
I'm a bit ashamed to say that I was trying to keep the tether and the rope wrapped perch out of the picture, or at least not noticeably there, so that it wouldn't be obvious that he (she?) was a captive subject. Wouldn't you know it, that's what everyone commented on. I plan to go back to the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre and, if this beautiful bird is still there, I'll get another shot or two. I won't skimp the next time. This picture now graces my living room wall, missing talons and all.
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{K:25317} 8/27/2001