A Proud Mother
Featured in Dimensions, Nirvana, Canadiana, Eagles Only, and 300+ Go Long.
In this fourth shot of my bald eagles’ nest series, the mother bald eagle has just joined her two young at the end of the day. The whole family sleeps together in two large coniferous trees. In the two weeks I have been shooting and observing at the nest, “dad” always arrives last at the end of the day. Soon the young fledged eagles will be on their own, completely abandoned by their parents. In this shot, she is certainly giving me the eye, as she hides herself within the protective bows of fir tree next to the nesting tree.
Captured on the Fraser River in Delta, British Columbia, using a Nikon D300 and Nikkor f4 600 mm lens, on a Gitzo tripod, ISO 640, -0.33 EV, f4, 1/100s.

A Proud Mother belongs to the following groups:
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Marvin Collins
All I can say is AWESOME!!
David Friederich replied
Thank you, Marvin.
Brandie1
Fantastic capture,
Gorgeous looking bird.
David Friederich replied
Thank you, Brandie.
Christophe Mes...
really great!
David Friederich replied
Thank you, Christophe.
Janet Fikar
He’s keeping an eye on you! Very nice capture!
David Friederich replied
She is definitely giving me the look, Janet. Thank you.
tuffcookie
OH MY! I think i’m speechless David! THis is amazing! She’s definitely watching you! :)
David Friederich replied
Thank you, Kelly. For 10 days or so, I have watched her join her babes at the end of a day. There was just enough light, and she was close enough, that I could make this shot.
RRoca
Awesome capture!!
David Friederich replied
Thank you, RRoca.
Donna Adamski
AWESOME capture David. I love her behind the pine. Fabulous comp and clarity. :)
David Friederich replied
It was amazing, Donna, to see how this huge bird would disappear into the bows of this large fir tree where she would spend the night. Someone walking past would not notice her, in spite of her size. Thank you, Donna.
Carol Barona
omg this is absolutely fantastic! instant fav! wow, wow, wow, such eye contact – you should put it in that group!
David Friederich replied
Thank you for the great compliment, Carol, and the fave. I added this to The Eyes Have It group, and am awaiting approval.
Cheryl Lunde
Magnificent!!!!! Instant fave David. That is some eye contact!
David Friederich replied
Yes, I love the eye contact too, Cheryl. Thank you for the comment and fave.
Tim Sanders
One of the best Eagle shots I have seen…...
David Friederich replied
Wow, that is quite a compliment, Tim. Thank you.
Ashley Collier
What a great capture.
David Friederich replied
Thank you, Ashley.
Appel
I love eagles!!! This is a beautiful capture!!!
David Friederich replied
I love eagles to Appel. Thank you for the comment.
PixelLab
Majestic:)
David Friederich replied
Thank you, PixelLab.
Dave & Trena P...
oh my….. what an amazing capture!!! how beautiful and lucky capture this is!!! simply stunning shot!
David Friederich replied
I felt so very blessed to be so close and to get an image like this one, Dave & Trena. Thank you.
jesika
Superb, David, a wonderful image.
j
David Friederich replied
Thank you very much, Jesika.
Anthea Slade
Oh David this is just stunning portrait of the majestic bald eagle. If I could favourite it more then once I would. Anthea
David Friederich replied
She is a beautiful bird, Anthea. I was very fortunate to be able to get this shot, and share it with so many. Thank you Anthea for the wonderful comment.
jacqi
Excellent shot. What a superbly clear image of the stern expression on that eagle’s face as she seems to be looking straight at you.
David Friederich replied
I love that look, Jacqi, which is so common in bald eagles. I am sure she is wondering what the heck I am doing there. Thank you.
David George
Loved this shot David, I like the shots of the raptors looking directly at the person shooting the pictures. It shows the intensity of their lives and the understanding of the photographer of what makes a great portrait of an animal.
David Friederich replied
Thank you so much, David. I always love how your comments make me feel good.
LYN EVANS
Oh my goodness, what an absolute stunner.
David Friederich replied
Thank you for such a great compliment, Lyn.
tuffcookie
Its a beautiful shot David!The lighting seems as perfect as you could ask for at the end of the day! We have had one nasty storm after another! Things are more than a little soggy here :(
Richard George
Excellent capture…great pov. I am sure the group Eye contact would love this.
David Friederich replied
Thanks for the comment and the tip. I just joined the Eye Contact group and uploaded this one to them.
Michael Rucci
Outstanding look a stare to be respected i have some in my area south eastren Pa. but no shot as clear as this you set the bar on this one
mike
David Friederich replied
Thank you, Mike. I have been shooting this female and her family for two weeks. When I shoot like this, I inevitably get a few good ones like this.
Melanie Dogan
Spectacular! :)
David Friederich replied
Thank you, Melanie.
Bonnie T. Barry
A portrait to be proud of! Love the intensity of the stare, the rich colors, the amazing clarity and detail. Your work is spectacular.
David Friederich replied
I am very proud of this one, Bonnie. I just love the stare, too, and the colors created by the day’s last light really add to this image. I am very happy you like my work. Thank you so much.
Beve Brown-Clark
O David, so glad you posted this one…fabulous stare, you have captured her essence beautifully!!
David Friederich replied
I am very happy, Beve, that you think I have captured her essence. That is what I was trying to do. Thank you for such a wonderful compliment, Beve.
Marcia Luly
Stunning capture…great eye contact!
David Friederich replied
Thank you, Marcia. I appreciate your comment.
Glenda Remaklus
How beautiful David. I love your eagle’s!
David Friederich replied
Thank you, Glenda. Eagle photography has been very rich for me as I photograph a family of bald eagles at their nest. I now have four in a much larger series from this nest on RB. Thank you for commenting, Glenda. I am glad you like my eagle shots.
Lucindawind
wow gorgeous capture David !
David Friederich replied
Thank you very much, Elaine.
Carol Barona
they also have a group “Eye Contact” which I think this would be great in! just a thought…have a great day!
David Friederich replied
Thank you, Carol. I just joined this group, and uploaded to them. I see they accepted the image.
Victoria Jostes
your work is terrific, d. skill & patience – a winning combination!!
David Friederich replied
I really appreciate this very kind compliment, Victoria.
Trudi's Images
Woweee ! looks straight from the pages of National Geographic ! awesome capture David ,l bow to your photographic ability my frend !
David Friederich replied
Trudi, I am very humbled by such a wonderful compliment. Thank you so very much.
LeilaniMelayna
Remarkable & gorgeous beauty & spirit!
Smiles Leilani
David Friederich replied
Thank you very much for a such wonderful comment, LeilaniMelayna.
Margaret Shark
How awesome. I love that this is so in nature, unposed, so real.What a fantastic capture. Congrats.
David Friederich replied
Very nice comment, Margaret. Thank you.
Rosemaree
A wnderful image David.. it is so sharp and offers a beautiful glance at this magestic bird.
David Friederich replied
Thank you, Rosemaree, for a great compliment.
LeilaniMelayna
You are very welcome, David!
Smiles Leilani
Steve Buffington
Outrageous!—Steve
David Friederich replied
Thank you, Steve.
Charlene Aycoc...
Wonderful capture.
David Friederich replied
Thanks Charlene.
Antanas
lovely photo
David Friederich replied
Thank you, Antanas.
hsien-ku
perfect shot!
what a penetrating gaze.
best to keep on her good side!
David Friederich replied
Thank you for commenting, hsien-ku. That was very nice of you. Yes, it looks like I’d better be on her good side :))).
Nira Dabush
Wonderful title to fit this marvelous photo, David.
Fantastic colour use.
Enjoy the weekend!
xxx
NIRA.
David Friederich replied
Thank you, Nira. I am glad you like the title. The colour is as it was on the evening I shot this one. It is one of many shots I took at the eagles’ nest. I hope you enjoy your weekend, too.
Renee Dawson
Oh my goodness she certainly IS giving you the eye now isn’t she. Fabulous eye contact. What a joy it must have been to watch this family of eagles!
David Friederich replied
It has been a tremendous joy to watch and photograph this eagle family, Renee. They have many human visitors, from avid birders, the curious, and serious nature photographers. She is used to being watched, but I think in this image, she has had enough. Thank you, Renee.
Sharon Mau
Aloha David, this is a sensational photograph. The depth is amazing. I love the intent expression as she gazes directly into your lens. Beautiful work!
David Friederich replied
Thank you, Sharon, for an awesome comment. This image of the mother eagle is proving to be very popular on RB.
Sharon Mau
David Friederich replied
Good news, Sharon. Thank you.
linaji
Just like you are right there in front of him.. I don’t know how you got that angle but it is stunning David.
David Friederich replied
I was really lucky with this shot, Lina. This mother eagle alighted in a tree opposite where I was standing to shoot her babes in the high nest. It was the end of the day, and it was her habit, I discovered to hide herself within the bows of this thick fir tree each night. Thank you for your comment, Lina.
linaji
David Friederich replied
Thank you so much, Lina. I am glad Nirvana thinks this image worthy of a feature.
Barbara Brown
Fantastic capture!
David Friederich replied
Thank you very much, Barbara.
AnaCBStudio
Awesome David!
David Friederich replied
Thank you very much, Ana!
Vickie Emms
Banner posted on behalf of Al Lucas
David Friederich replied
I have always loved this shot, Vickie, so I am thrilled. Thank you.
NancyR
Marvelous shot! She sure isn’t giving you one inch, is she? The joys of a powerful lens!
David Friederich replied
This shot is special to me, and you are right, without a large lens I would not have it. Thank you so much for commenting.
Martin Smart
David Friederich replied
Very cool. Thank you.
KathleenRinker
Great image, congratulations on your feature!
David Friederich replied
Thank you so very much, Kathleen.
Anthony Comella
Wonderful viewing – you certainly captured the moment perfectly!!
David Friederich replied
What a special moment this was, Anthony, one I was proud to capture with my camera. Thank you for commenting.
Ken McElroy 24 days ago
David Friederich replied 24 days ago
That’s great, Ken. Thank you.
Gary Lengyel 24 days ago
Wow, what a job capturing the eyes. Fantastic image!
David Friederich replied 23 days ago
So glad you like it, Gary, thank you.
batch 17 days ago
Stunning photo David