(August 23, 2023) In a world where the ordinary often eclipses the extraordinary, San Francisco-based Karthik Subramaniam emerged as a true harbinger of the extraordinary. With his heart attuned to the rhythm of nature, he embarked on a week-long journey to the distant shores of Alaska with his favourite camera by his side. Little did he know that this journey would help him capture a stunning image of three bald-eyed eagles that would make him win Nat Geo’s Picture of the Year 2023 contest.
The stage of his revelation was set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, a haven where the skies seem to embrace the earth. The preserve, renowned as the grandest congregation of bald eagles on the planet, served as the canvas on which Karthik would paint its masterpiece.
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With the sun’s rays casting a spell on the land, he found himself standing near the fringes of the waters on the very last day of his trip. With only a few hours left before the last ferry, he waited for the perfect opportunity with his camera resting on a branch. That’s when he heard a commotion and saw through his lens that an incoming eagle swooped in, intimidating its current resident, and took the prime spot. Amidst the chaos of feathered rivalry, Karthik seized the moment, capturing the sublime chaos in its raw, untamed form. In that fleeting moment, his lens transformed into a portal, bridging the realms of the ordinary and the extraordinary. Paying a tribute to George RR Martin’s novel A Dance of Dragons, he named the image Dance of the Eagles and submitted it to National Geographic Pictures of the Year contest. Selected from among 5000 entries across four categories – Nature, People, Places, and Animals, the picture was published in the May issue of Nat Geo magazine. “Every year in November, hundreds of bald eagles gather at Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve near Haines, Alaska, to feast on salmon. I visited there last two Novembers to photograph them,” he told the magazine.
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These annual visits helped him gain insight into the behavourial rhythms of the birds. “For example, when an eagle drags salmon to a dry spot, other eagles in the area would inevitably fly there to claim their share, and that leads to chaotic action. They also seemed to have some favourite spots to hang out, and usually, commotion ensues when an eagle wants an already occupied spot. This photo was taken during one such commotion,” he added.
Karthik Subramanium
A software engineer by profession, Karthik took up photography as a hobby. For the longest time he has been photographing landscapes and it was only in 2020, when like many he was grounded in his home, that he started experimenting with wildlife photography. His passion led him to wildlife reserves and forests. He journeyed to the Point Reyes National Seashore, the voyage a testament to his unquenchable thirst for the perfect shot, and soon parks became his sanctuaries. Sharing an anecdote, he revealed that upon hearing that two bald eagles were nesting on top of an elementary school two hours away from his home, he visited every weekend to capture them on his lens on their way out to hunt. The trial period paid off as he learned patience, something that helped him capture the award-winning photo.
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His journey from the vibrant streets of San Francisco to the wild landscapes of Alaska encapsulates the essence of a soul driven by an insatiable love for photography. Through observation and enthusiasm, he harnessed the art of storytelling through his lens. His triumph in winning the prestigious National Geographic’s annual Pictures of the Year award is not just an accolade, but a reminder that in the pursuit of a dream, passion and perseverance illuminate the path to greatness. Karthik Subramaniam, the photographer, has not only captured images; he has captured the heart of photography itself.
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