There are certain wildlife encounters that stay with you long after you put the camera away. Photographing a Steller’s Sea Eagle in Newfoundland and Labrador was one of those unforgettable moments.
Known for its enormous size, powerful appearance, and striking plumage, the Steller’s Sea Eagle is one of the most impressive birds of prey in the world. Seeing one in North America is an extraordinary experience, and having the opportunity to photograph one was something I never expected to happen on my trip.
A Difficult Morning in the Fog
It was my last morning in Newfoundland and Labrador, July 23, 2026 and conditions were far from ideal. Thick fog covered the area, making visibility extremely limited. Finding the eagle was going to be a challenge. We headed out on the water and began searching the surrounding coastline. The fog made it difficult to see very far ahead, and every distant shape seemed like it could potentially be the bird we were looking for. After about 40 minutes of searching, my captain suddenly spotted a silhouette in the distance. At first, all I could see was a dark shape through the fog. As we slowly made our way closer, I began to realize exactly what we were looking at. It was the Steller’s Sea Eagle!!
The Size of This Incredible Eagle
As we approached, I was immediately struck by its size. I had seen photographs of Steller’s Sea Eagles before, but seeing one in person was completely different. The bird looked enormous perched in the distance, with a powerful body, broad wings, and an unmistakable presence.
It was one of those moments where you almost forget about the camera for a second because you are simply taking in what is happening in front of you. I knew immediately that this was going to be one of the most memorable wildlife encounters of my trip. But there was one problem, the fog.
Waiting for the Fog to Lift
The eagle remained perched while we waited patiently, hoping the conditions would improve. For nearly an hour, we watched and waited. The fog slowly began to shift, occasionally giving us brief glimpses of the bird. Every time the visibility improved, I was ready with my camera, hoping for just a few clear moments. Wildlife photography often requires patience, and this was a perfect example.
You can plan a trip, find the right location, have the right equipment, and be in the perfect position, but ultimately you have no control over the weather or what the animal decides to do. All you can do is wait. Eventually, the fog began to lift enough for us to finally get a much clearer view of the eagle. After spending so much time searching and waiting, seeing the Steller’s Sea Eagle emerge from the fog was an incredible feeling.
Photographing from a Moving Boat
Photographing from a moving boat can be challenging, especially with a 600mm lens. I used a very high shutter speed to help freeze the eagle’s movement while also compensating for the constant motion of the boat. Balancing shutter speed, aperture, and ISO in changing fog and light conditions required constant adjustments, but the Canon R5 Mark II and RF 600mm F4 handled the challenging conditions beautifully.
The Images I Captured
When the fog finally lifted, we got a clear view of the Steller’s Sea Eagle. Moments later, it took off from its perch, giving us an incredible series of takeoff shots—images I honestly didn’t expect to capture this well from a moving, shaky boat.
The eagle landed in another tree, giving us one more opportunity to photograph it before the fog rolled back in. As visibility worsened and the eagle disappeared into another area, we decided to call it and head back.
It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable encounter.
A Rare Visitor
The Steller’s Sea Eagle is native to northeastern Asia, particularly Russia and surrounding regions. Although extremely rare in North America, this individual has been sighted in Newfoundland and Labrador over the past five years. Its continued presence has made it a remarkable and highly sought after bird for wildlife photographers visiting the region. To have the opportunity to photograph it during my trip to Newfoundland and Labrador was something I never could have predicted.
As a wildlife photographer, these are the moments you hope for but never take for granted, rare encounters that make all the patience, time, and effort behind wildlife photography truly worthwhile.
One of My Most Memorable Wildlife Encounters
Looking back, I think the uncertainty of that morning made the encounter even more special. It was my final morning. Visibility was poor. We had spent nearly an hour searching before finally finding the bird, and then another long wait hoping the fog would lift. But that’s wildlife photography.
Sometimes the most rewarding photographs come after hours of waiting, difficult conditions, and moments when you aren’t sure whether everything will work out. And then, suddenly, everything comes together. A silhouette appears through the fog. You realize what you’re looking at, the conditions improve. You raise your camera. And for a few moments, you are standing in front of something truly extraordinary.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have photographed this Steller’s Sea Eagle in Newfoundland and Labrador. It was not only one of the highlights of my trip, but also one of the most remarkable wildlife encounters I have experienced as a photographer.
Some wildlife encounters are difficult to plan. Some happen when you least expect them. And some are simply unforgettable. This was one of those moments.
Newfoundland and Labrador gave me an experience I will never forget, and I feel incredibly lucky to have been there with my camera when this magnificent Steller’s Sea Eagle emerged from the fog.
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Beautiful read! Must be one of the special moments!
Thanks man, Absolutely!