Adult Bald Eagle landing with wings swept back and talons extended over water, photographed by Bruce Graham

The Approach: Bruce Graham’s Dramatic Bald Eagle Landing from the Signature Collection

In this breathtaking display of aerial mastery, Bruce Graham freezes the split-second moment where an adult Bald Eagle transitions from flight to landing. The image radiates power as the raptor engages its “air brakes”—sweeping its massive wings upward and fanning its white tail feathers to slow its descent. Every detail, from the intense concentration in the bird’s eye to the texture of its extended yellow talons, is rendered with razor-sharp clarity against a soft, golden marsh background. This photograph is a testament to the predatory precision of the species and stands as a commanding piece in Bruce’s Signature Collection, offering viewers a rare, up-close look at the mechanics of eagle flight.

Captured on November 22, 2025 at 2:27 PM, this image was taken using a Canon EOS R5 paired with the versatile RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens. Bruce composed this shot at a focal length of 151mm, which indicates a remarkable proximity to the subject. The exposure settings were ISO 640, an aperture of f/10.0 for deep depth of field, and a shutter speed of 1/1600 sec, which perfectly froze the rapid motion of the landing.