Picture this: I'm aboard a rocking boat, navigating the waves of Alaska with the majestic Mendenhall Glacier in view. With my Canon EOS 5D Mark IV in hand, I'm determined to capture the perfect shot. I've got my EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens attached, along with a 1.4x III extender for some extra reach. Now, here's the thing about extenders – they're great for increasing your zoom range, but they come with a trade-off. The aperture gets reduced, which means more of the background comes into focus. As a photographer, I always prefer a beautiful, creamy bokeh for animal shots, but sometimes, you must compromise to get the desired shot. In the heat of the moment, I realize I've made a mistake. I didn't even use the extra zoom range the extender provided! The shot was taken at 224mm, well within the lens's native range. But that's the nature of photography, especially in rushed situations – you don't always have time to fiddle with your settings and equipment. Despite the technical challenges, I captured a breathtaking image. With the camera set to Aperture Priority mode, a shutter speed of 1/3200, an aperture of f/6.3, and ISO 1600, I could encapsulate the region's raw beauty in a single frame. I call this photo "Mission Accomplished," and I think it's a fitting title for the journey that led me to this moment.
Alaska is home to the largest population of bald eagles in the United States, with estimates of around 30,000 eagles inhabiting the state. These magnificent birds are particularly abundant in Southeast Alaska, where the coastal temperate rain forests and abundant fish populations provide ideal conditions for their survival and reproduction. Bald eagles are often seen perched on tree tops, particularly near bodies of water where they can easily spot their prey. They have a wingspan of up to 7.5 feet and can live into their early 30s. Known for their impressive hunting skills, they are often seen swooping down to catch fish. Interestingly, it takes about five years for their distinctive white head and tail feathers to develop fully. Juvenile eagles are brown and mottled, with black beaks that turn yellow as they mature. For more information, please visit <a target="_blank" href="https://www.alaska.org/guide/eagle-viewing">the official Alaska website for more information.</a>