July 2010

"Lovebirds"

How I did it

While in Alaska I took this picture of a raven following an eagle. The local indian tribe, the Tlingit have many old stories about these two birds. In these stories the eagle is very strong and majestic while the raven is clever and cunning. In the clan structure of the tribe one clan is eagle and another is raven. Since members of the clan cannot marry within their clan an eagle will always marry a raven. In the tribe's jewelry and carvings the pair is called the lovebirds. Interestingly, the Tlingit have a matriachial society with property and names being inherited from the female member.

COMMENTS:

Brian Magor
Great shot - well captured - plus an interesting story. If you used PS Shadow Highlight adjuster you could bring out more detail in the wings of both birds but otherwise a stunning shot.

Susan Davi
Thanks for sharing the Indian story that goes along with this picture. I
love how you captured the tips of the eagle's wings in the clouds so that
you can see more detail. My eyes are drawn to the eagle, jump up to the
raven and then back to examine the detail in the eagle. Great shot.

Richard Harper
When I first looked at this, I wondered if the smaller bird was just a young sibling, with a darker head. The flight characteristics and even the wing ends were similar. Then I read your account. It makes an interesting storey and a good reason for taking the shot. Something, I am sure, that you will always remember. Well seen and captured. I wonder what the larger bird had in its talons?

Rick Cloran
An interesting capture. I really like the parallel placement even to the wing position in the two birds. Does this happen to echo any of the tribal jewelry, totems or drawings that you may have seen? The only think that might enhance it a bit for me would be if you could pull a little more detail out on the shadow side of both birds with a shadow / highlight adjustment or something similar

Chuck McCollom
What a great capture and the story to go along with it is wonderful. Every once in awhile to get a chance for a once in a lifetime shot and you've done this well. I can't suggest anything to enhance it.

Linda Speh
What a lucky shot....just to be at the right place and time is wonderful, but to get such a clear, focused shot is amazing to me of two birds in tandem flight. Your story brings even more meaning to the image.

Jim Mayo

After retiring as an ob-gyn physician 3 years ago I decided to pursue one of my boyhood hobbies of photography. I quickly learned that I would have to work part time as a doctor just to pay for all the 'stuff' I needed. It used to be simple, just take your pictures and develop the black and whites or send the colors to a lab. Now I use an expensive camera, computer, and software to digitally manipulate and then print large pictures. I take a lot of pictures and courses to work toward a professional level. I really enjoy it and have met many wonderful people through photography.

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