Just under two weeks ago I returned from leading two back-to-back Finland in Winter tours where our target species was, primarily, golden eagle. Both groups enjoyed eagle activity on, collectively, four days in the comfortable heated hides. Aside from the 'main attraction' there were other subjects, too, which included red squirrel, siberian tit, siberian jay and a real surprise - black woodpecker. Dwarfing the great-spotted woodpecker the black is Europe's largest and what a treat it was too to observe and photograph it so close.
Since 2014 I've spent a total of 11 days photographing golden eagles from these hides. Each visit by them presents me with something new. Flight shots are always high on the agenda and given their relatively short flight distance from tree to carrion, are always very tricky to capture. Ultimately, however, what really makes an image is the light and on our final eagle day we had the most exquisite conditions. The kind that you experience but once in a lifetime and while photographing hope above all else that you don't screw it up!
From the moment we stepped into the hides the sky was clear. This is all well and good - especially for the group's morale - but for pictures it's less than ideal especially since as the day progresses the sun is directly ahead of us. For much of the day I was cursing this and hoping that clouds (as forecast) would come and block the sun. This never happened. And then, just after 1pm the eagle arrived and duly landed on the branch directly ahead of us. Outside the temperature was around -10 and ice particles flickered like tiny jewels. It hopped around, occasionally spreading its wings and as time progressed the 'beam' moved from the left to directly onto the eagle. The conditions were tricky for the camera's autofocus and so to be sure I switched from AF-C (continuous) to AF-S since the latter is always more precise and only lets you take a picture when it's locked-on.
Nikon D810, 200-400 f/4, ISO 125, 1/1250 f/5.6,
I'll be returning next winter to lead another tour and as much as I'm looking forward to spending more time in the company of these magnificent creatures it's highly unlikely I'll witness light quite like that ever again.
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