Eagle by Tisha Clinkenbeard

Captured during a honeymoon cruise in Alaska, this striking portrait of a rescued American eagle at a Ketchikan hatchery highlights the bird's inherent majesty. The photographer focused on the eagle’s piercing gaze and regal posture to convey a sense of both grace and raw, untamed fierceness. By isolating the subject against the environment, the image emphasizes the powerful connection between the viewer and the wildlife. This photograph is award-worthy for its ability to transform a captive encounter into a compelling, intimate study of one of nature’s most iconic predators, showcasing sharp detail and an evocative, dignified composition.

Eagle by Tisha Clinkenbeard
Copyright Β© Tisha Clinkenbeard
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Tisha Clinkenbeard

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Based in Powderly, Texas, Tisha Clinkenbeard is a dedicated photographer whose work has been featured in prestigious venues such as The Fine Arts Center of Hot Springs and the Black Box Gallery in Portland. Her artistic journey began long before the digital era, fostering a lifelong commitment to documenting the world as she wanders across the globe. Through her platform, Found Round & About, she shares her unique perspective on the beauty found in everyday life, further establishing her reputation through features in publications like Birds & Blooms.

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11.1/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
90/500
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SUBMISSION
Award Reach | Reviews
13,028 views | 3 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date February 22, 2016
61.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 11.0
Clarity 11.0
Composition 17.0
Style 11.0
Skill 11.0
Photograph Location
Ketchikan, The United States

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Tisha Clinkenbeard Photography
Wildlife Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (10.9/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
5.0/5 points
1,610/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
13,028/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.0/5 points
0/100 Review
Submissions
0.9/5 points
90/500 Submission
Jury Score: 61.0/80
Resonance Score: 10.9/20
Total Award Score: 71.9/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 3

Dmitri Kasakov Contrast, Shadow Drama & the Metaphysics of Light Expert Review
The eagle’s gaze is a cage of its own making. While the light catches the feathers, it’s the hollow, unlit depths of the eye that haunt me. I’ve stared into that darkness, and it doesn't offer majesty; it offers a cold, silent refusal. Clinkenbeard captures the bird, yet she misses the tragedy of the tethered predator. It’s a beautiful, sharp portrait, but it’s afraid of the shadows that define what it truly means to be trapped.
Rafael Ortega Shutter Technique, Motion & the Cinematic Single Frame Expert Review
The shutter speed caught the exact millisecond the eagle decided to own the frame. It’s a tight close-up, a locked-off shot that refuses to blink. I’ve spent years watching raptors on screen, but this gaze hits differentβ€”it’s pure, predatory stillness. The focus is razor-sharp, isolating that fierce, amber eye. It feels like the moment before a jump cut to action. I’m genuinely intimidated by it. This is the frame the editor keeps.
James Rokeby Camera Craft & Technical Execution Expert Review
f/5.6 at 400mm, 1/800s, ISO 400. A predictable choice for wildlife, yet it’s effective. The shallow depth of field isolates the raptor, forcing focus onto the iris. It’s technically sound, though I’ve seen this exact setup a thousand times. The shutter speed is sufficient to freeze the plumage, but the lack of motion blur makes it feel clinical. I’m tired of captive subjects, but the sharpness here is undeniable. It’s a correct execution of a standard formula.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Margaret Holt

The Weight of a Gaze

In the quiet hours of the morning, when the house is still and the coffee has long since cooled, I often find myself thinking about the nature of observation. We are taught that to look is to take, to possess, to claim a piece of the world for our own records.

Read the reflection →
By Tom Bretherton

The Weight of the Watch

I once sat in a small wooden boat off the coast of Vancouver Island while an old fisherman named Elias cleaned his catch. He didn't look up when the gulls circled or when the wind shifted; he kept his eyes fixed on the horizon, a habit born of decades spent reading the weather.

Read the reflection →

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