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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Eighty-six: An American safari -- wildlife photography in southeast Alaska’s wilderness > Fearsome sight, Cannery Cove, Pybus Bay, Alaska, 2013
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15-JUN-2013

Fearsome sight, Cannery Cove, Pybus Bay, Alaska, 2013

A bald eagle lunges towards a young eagle barely visible in the lower right hand corner of the frame. I caught its fearsome expression in the early morning light – it was responding with what seemed like anger to something the young eagle had done. The low angle of the sun illuminates the head, while throwing the rest into shadow. I made hundreds of images of eagles while at the Pybus Point Lodge. I was fortunate to visit at this time of year – later in the summer these eagles leave the lodge area to hunt among distant streams filled with spawning salmon. I made at least several hundred images of eagles during my four-day stay at the Pybus Point Lodge fishing camp. Bald eagles were always around me, day and night. They would float past the windows of my cabin, filling the air with their cries. This image is perhaps the single most rewarding image I was to make of eagles in Alaska. It is more than a descriptive portrait. It is intimate, beautifully illuminated, and full of feeling.

Panasonic LUMIX G5
1/2500s f/13.0 at 175.0mm iso1600 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Phil Douglis21-Oct-2013 20:00
I agree, Iris. Our national bird bird carries dual symbolism here. The bald eagle is known for its fierce presence, and here that ferocity is demonstrated most forcefully. Our national bird may seem to some as noble and proud, but in reality, it is a ruthless, uncompromising forager. Sound familiar?
Iris Maybloom (irislm)18-Oct-2013 00:07
What an expressive portrait! Our national bird doesn't look very happy. Given the state of our government, I can relate to that expression.
Phil Douglis01-Sep-2013 20:32
Thanks, Tim, for noting the expression of human values here. Obviously an eagle is not human, yet humans can easily appreciate the fearsome attitude expressed in this image. It was, as I noted in my caption, the single most rewarding image I was to make of eagles in Alaska. Thanks for being the first to comment upon on this image, which I am using as the "cover shot" for this entire gallery.
Tim May01-Sep-2013 15:56
Again - human values ( Is anger a value?) aren't only human. I am surprised that there aren't more comments on this one. Wow!
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