Sparrowhawk(with prey)

Gallery: AvianPosted November 14, 2010308 views24 comments

These sparrowhawks are regular visitors in my garden but are very skittish on this occasion I looked out of my window and saw this sparrowhawk at the bottom of my garden.I managed to slowly open my patio doors grab a table and beanie,no time to set up tripod and quietly get sorted.The light wasn t to brill but managed to get a couple of cards full of images.It was so exciting to have the privilige to watch this although I did feel for the poor dove.

Canon 50D, Canon 500f4L IS + 1.4 convertor,ISO 400,F5.6,1/500

Comments

24 comments

Comment posted by richard remington on November 14, 2010 at 10:40 AM

This is a magnificent shot that shows the reality of nature. What a thrill it must have been to witness and photograph the encounter. Great shot of a raptor at work! Thanks for sharing.

Rick

Registered on March 12, 2010, 105 Posts, 368 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on November 14, 2010 at 10:51 AM

Very nice image as posted. THe light looks fine to me, being soft enough to keep the shadows open.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Karen Summers on November 14, 2010 at 10:55 AM

Thanks everyone Charlie it was nearly full frame just a tad off for comp the best I could have got some where he was to close so completely full frame

Registered on December 3, 2009, 83 Posts, 818 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on November 14, 2010 at 12:17 PM

Awesome image-including the bloody beak. One I will come back to and look again. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on November 14, 2010 at 12:19 PM

Amazing that it didn't fly off. Good thing I wasn't there.

The scattered feathers add a nice texture to the image, and you really nailed the colors, Karen. Great job.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Mason on November 14, 2010 at 1:32 PM

I'm envious! The only thing I would suggest is a little more space on the bottom, but it's a cracking image.

Registered on December 14, 2005, 399 Posts, 2305 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on November 14, 2010 at 1:54 PM

A winner, Karen.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by Karen Summers on November 14, 2010 at 1:59 PM

thanks everyone Rich I could come and visit

Registered on December 3, 2009, 83 Posts, 818 Comments

Comment posted by Giorgio Gregori on November 14, 2010 at 2:21 PM

Amazing action shot . Nature is all in the comparison of the two eyes: the proud one of the raptor and the lifeless and closed one of the Dove .
Congrats .
Giorgio

Registered on November 16, 2007, 87 Posts, 793 Comments

Comment posted by Eric Diller on November 14, 2010 at 4:06 PM

Wow...awesome capture!

Registered on October 2, 2009, 69 Posts, 434 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Tomalty on November 14, 2010 at 4:14 PM

This is great and home delivery is pretty special treatment. Nicely done.
RickT

Registered on October 11, 2006, 212 Posts, 1610 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on November 14, 2010 at 4:27 PM

Sweet shot Karen. Wonderfull to see this action. This is nature. Great light for this shot. Nice detail all around. Really nice.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Geoffrey Baker on November 14, 2010 at 6:30 PM

An excellent capture Karen

Shows the brutal side of nature.
Well done.

Geoff.

Registered on August 20, 2010, 192 Posts, 980 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on November 14, 2010 at 8:42 PM

really a fine image, Karen. love the blood on the bill and the head turn of the hawk. I'd be interested in seeing a bit more centered comp (contrary to my usual tastes) here since the subject is so dramatic--only a suggestion though, as this works very well as presented.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on November 14, 2010 at 9:03 PM

You witnessed quite an event here and photographed it well Karen. The intensity of the raptor on it's prey is palpable.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Huff on November 14, 2010 at 10:25 PM

Great shot Karen, I really like the image.

Ron

Registered on August 31, 2010, 69 Posts, 440 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on November 15, 2010 at 2:41 AM

Got to love that stare Karen - great shot of a unique opportunity

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Danny Laredo on November 15, 2010 at 4:50 AM

This is fantastic Karen.

Registered on March 18, 2008, 71 Posts, 332 Comments

Comment posted by Karen Summers on November 15, 2010 at 6:03 AM

Awww thanks Rich if I could get over I would be there like a shot, and thanks for the kind words about the website, I am actually changing to a better one which will look a lot better so should be up and running after xmas

Registered on December 3, 2009, 83 Posts, 818 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on November 15, 2010 at 9:22 AM

A brilliant image, technically solid!
Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on November 15, 2010 at 2:39 PM

Exceptional - wonderful catch!
Fine detail, great pose, and nice BG.
I keep coming back to this, and it seems a little off-level to me - or perhaps this is an illusion from the pose and the way the pigeon is laying? does it need a bit of CCW rotation?

Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on November 15, 2010 at 5:11 PM

Awesome image Karen.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on November 15, 2010 at 6:39 PM

A very compelling image-I had to come back several times to insure I had taken it all in.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on November 21, 2010 at 7:45 PM

Terrific capture Karen, raw nature.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments