Three Is A Family – Crowned Eagle
Price range: $800.00 through $1 300.00
Three Is A Family – Crowned Eagle
"Three Is A Family, Nahoon, East-London" - High in the towering canopy above the Nahoon Estuary in East London, a fleeting but powerful moment unfolded: the full crowned eagle family—mother, father, and chick—briefly united in the nest. These apex raptors, regal and formidable, are rarely seen so intimately. This image captures the instant the male, having returned from a successful hunt, presents a hyrax to the female. She instinctively mantles the downy white chick in protection, shielding her young as the father edges forward, prey in talon. Moments later, he is swiftly chased off—a ritual both instinctive and elegant.
Ezekiel 31:6
All the birds of the heavens nested in its boughs,
And under its branches all the beasts of the field gave birth,
And all great nations lived under its shade.
Taken during a return to my hometown in summer, this rare sighting followed my earlier encounter with a Hooded Kingfisher. While I had set out to photograph birds of the estuary, it was this crowned eagle pair—bonded for life and currently raising a chick—that truly commanded attention. These eagles breed only once every two years, with a cycle stretching over 500 days. It’s a slow, deliberate rhythm befitting their powerful yet deliberate nature.
The image’s title, Three Is A Family, offers a quiet counterpoint to the old adage "three's a crowd." Here, three represents continuity, instinct, and the generational passage of life in the treetops. It echoes the passage in Ezekiel 31:6: “All the birds of the heavens nested in its boughs, and under its branches all the beasts of the field gave birth, and all great nations lived under its shade.”
This nest, high among the forest boughs, becomes both sanctuary and stronghold—a testament to the complex dynamics of wild parenthood.
The crowned eagle is considered Africa’s most powerful bird of prey relative to the size of its quarry. Though lighter than the martial eagle, its crushing talons, especially the rear “killing” talon, are capable of inflicting swift, devastating blows to prey as large as a bushbuck. In this frame, however, we see not violence but balance—nurture, provision, and hierarchy, captured in a single, unforgettable moment.
This signed and embossed Open Edition print is an invitation to witness the unseen world above the forest canopy—where power meets tenderness, and instinct shapes every movement. For collectors of African imagery and rare wildlife moments, Three Is A Family offers both beauty and profound narrative.
Explore our open edition sister image to Three Is A Family, In The Hood and make this a two-part series collection.
This is a signed and embossed Open Edition print.
Three Is A Family – Crowned Eagle
Three Is A Family – Crowned Eagle
"Three Is A Family, Nahoon, East-London" - High in the towering canopy above the Nahoon Estuary in East London, a fleeting but powerful moment unfolded: the full crowned eagle family—mother, father, and chick—briefly united in the nest. These apex raptors, regal and formidable, are rarely seen so intimately. This image captures the instant the male, having returned from a successful hunt, presents a hyrax to the female. She instinctively mantles the downy white chick in protection, shielding her young as the father edges forward, prey in talon. Moments later, he is swiftly chased off—a ritual both instinctive and elegant.
Ezekiel 31:6
All the birds of the heavens nested in its boughs,
And under its branches all the beasts of the field gave birth,
And all great nations lived under its shade.
Taken during a return to my hometown in summer, this rare sighting followed my earlier encounter with a Hooded Kingfisher. While I had set out to photograph birds of the estuary, it was this crowned eagle pair—bonded for life and currently raising a chick—that truly commanded attention. These eagles breed only once every two years, with a cycle stretching over 500 days. It’s a slow, deliberate rhythm befitting their powerful yet deliberate nature.
The image’s title, Three Is A Family, offers a quiet counterpoint to the old adage "three's a crowd." Here, three represents continuity, instinct, and the generational passage of life in the treetops. It echoes the passage in Ezekiel 31:6: “All the birds of the heavens nested in its boughs, and under its branches all the beasts of the field gave birth, and all great nations lived under its shade.”
This nest, high among the forest boughs, becomes both sanctuary and stronghold—a testament to the complex dynamics of wild parenthood.
The crowned eagle is considered Africa’s most powerful bird of prey relative to the size of its quarry. Though lighter than the martial eagle, its crushing talons, especially the rear “killing” talon, are capable of inflicting swift, devastating blows to prey as large as a bushbuck. In this frame, however, we see not violence but balance—nurture, provision, and hierarchy, captured in a single, unforgettable moment.
This signed and embossed Open Edition print is an invitation to witness the unseen world above the forest canopy—where power meets tenderness, and instinct shapes every movement. For collectors of African imagery and rare wildlife moments, Three Is A Family offers both beauty and profound narrative.
Explore our open edition sister image to Three Is A Family, In The Hood and make this a two-part series collection.
This is a signed and embossed Open Edition print.
Price range: $800.00 through $1 300.00
Print Information
The Cameras
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Every photograph begins with the camera it was created on. Whether captured on traditional photographic film or a modern digital camera, every image is produced with the same commitment to craftsmanship and authenticity.
Film negatives and transparencies are personally developed by hand before being professionally scanned and prepared for printing. Digital photographs are captured in RAW format and carefully processed to preserve the original scene rather than alter it.
Large Format
Shen-Hao 4×5
4×10
5×7
8×10
Korona 7×17
Pinhole Cameras
Medium Format
Baby Rolleiflex
Yashica 44
Yashica Mat 124
Pentax 645N
Mamiya 645 1000S
Pentax 6×7
Fuji GX617 Professional
Various panoramic roll-film systems
35mm
Nikon F5
Nikon F6
Digital
Nikon D800E
Nikon D4
Nikon D5
Fujifilm GFX100
The Collections
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Every collection represents years of exploration, patience and careful craftsmanship. Some photographs are captured digitally, while others originate on traditional photographic film.
Film photographs are developed by hand before being scanned using professional equipment. Digital RAW files receive only careful tonal and colour refinement, preserving the integrity of the original photograph.
Collections are available as either Open Editions or Limited Editions, depending on the artwork.
The Triptych Collection Sizes
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Triptych Size Guide
For Triptych Collection artworks, the selected size applies consistently across all three panels.
In compositions where the side panels are portrait and the centre panel is landscape, the selected size refers to the maximum height of the artwork. For example, when A3 is selected, the two portrait side panels are produced to the A3 long dimension, and the centre landscape panel is scaled proportionally to match that same height.
Where all three panels are landscape or all three are portrait, the selected format remains consistent throughout the set — A0 is A0, A1 is A1, A2 is A2 and A3 is A3. Sizes are not mixed between panels.
Available Triptych Collection sizes: A0, A1, A2 and A3.
The Editions
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Limited Editions
Limited Editions are permanently restricted to 25 prints worldwide, regardless of the size or medium selected.
Once the edition has sold out, no additional prints of that artwork will ever be produced.
Signing & Numbering
Every Open and Limited Edition print is individually signed, embossed and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.
Each Limited Edition print is hand-numbered—for example: 10/25
This indicates the tenth print produced from a total edition of twenty-five.
The Photographic Process
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Many CFP Prints artworks begin with traditional photographic film.
Each negative or transparency is developed by hand using carefully selected chemistry before being professionally scanned for printing. Every stage of the workflow is managed with the objective of faithfully reproducing the original photograph rather than digitally transforming it.
Every photograph represents a real moment, captured through experience, patience and light—not artificial intelligence.
The Printed Medium
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CFP Prints is produced exclusively on museum-quality Hahnemühle FineArt media.
Hahnemühle Cézanne Canvas
A 430 gsm, 100% cotton canvas offering exceptional colour depth, fine detail and long-term archival stability. Its natural matte surface makes it ideal for gallery-quality presentation.
Hahnemühle Photo Rag® Matt Baryta
A 308 gsm, a natural white, 100% cotton paper with a traditional barium sulphate coating. This paper offers rich blacks, luminous highlights, and refined surface texture. It is acid- and lignin-free, with certified age resistance.
Certificate of Authenticity
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Every CFP Prints artwork is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (CoA)—a signed and embossed document that formally certifies the originality, provenance, and technical details of the artwork.
Issued with both Limited Edition and Open Edition works, the certificate confirms that the artwork was produced exclusively by CFP Prints using museum-quality archival materials and professional printing standards.
Collectors, galleries, and institutions are encouraged to retain the Certificate of Authenticity with the artwork at all times. It forms an important part of the artwork’s provenance and assists in verifying authenticity for resale, exhibition, insurance, and archival cataloguing.
Caring for Your Print
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Every CFP Prints artwork is produced using museum-quality archival materials designed to provide exceptional longevity when properly cared for.
To help preserve the beauty of your artwork for generations:
- Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or strong reflected light.
- Dust gently with a soft, dry microfibre cloth or soft artist’s brush. Never use household cleaners, solvents, or abrasive materials.
- Display or store your artwork in a dry, temperature-controlled environment, away from excessive humidity or heat.
- Canvas prints are protected with a professional matte archival varnish and may be gently cleaned with a soft, slightly damp cloth when necessary.
With appropriate care, your CFP Prints artwork will retain its richness, detail, and archival quality for many years.