RSH with repost

Gallery: AvianPosted December 5, 2010136 views14 comments

This is why I sit in one spot, in camo, and stay as still as possible when I shoot. All sorts of birds and other animals end up right on top of you. This juvie red-shoulder landed just within focusing distance of me on a steep sloping side of a levee. This bird was in its own world and thus, I like the fact it did not look at me. This was very early morning and shot at ISO 1250. I have shots of this bird flying in and out, thus the high ISO set-up for early flight shots. Still really nice IQ IMO for that ISO. Thanks for looking.

Canon 1DM4
500mm f/4 + 1.4x TC
ISO 1250
1/800s
f/5.6
Manual exp.
HH
85% of FF
No NR

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on December 5, 2010 at 8:21 PM

Very intimate, and god IQ for that high ISO setting (I rarely find 800 useable on my D200).

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

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on December 5, 2010 at 8:24 PM

Gorgeous bird.... nice look at that shark hook on the beak

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on December 5, 2010 at 9:32 PM

Technically a very nice shot, Ron: sharp, clear view of the bird. To me though the bird looks like it's trying to lay an egg. I like a more noble pose or interesting behavior of some type. Again, good old personal taste comes into it.

The logo in this shot is new to me. Beautiful, creative....but a mite distracting to me. It reminds me of the TV channel ID commercials we see in the corner of TV programs sometimes. Maybe you could consider just decreasing its opacity so it does not become so much of a competing image.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on December 6, 2010 at 12:35 AM

Interesting image. I like the ground seating he has here. Also the little flowers in the foreground are humorously out of place with the raptor. Detail in the bird itself is very good and I especially like the eye.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on December 6, 2010 at 4:27 AM

Nice one Ron. Kwik Camo?? The slope and the little daisies add a nice touch

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Nancy Elwood on December 6, 2010 at 8:59 AM

Very nice Ron!! I would maybe warm it just a tad. The setting and composition is lovely!

Registered on January 15, 2010, 101 Posts, 396 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on December 6, 2010 at 11:01 AM

Here is a warmer version. Better?

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

Comment posted by Nancy Elwood on December 6, 2010 at 11:11 AM

Love the repost Ron!! Just added enough. I think I will come sit by you next time

Registered on January 15, 2010, 101 Posts, 396 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on December 6, 2010 at 12:03 PM

Ron,
I prefer the first version because watching it I can feel the fresh air of the dawn.
I like the repost too, but IMO loses a bit of magic. Beautiful post.

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on December 6, 2010 at 12:40 PM

Excellent, Ron. Nice intimate look.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on December 6, 2010 at 3:35 PM

Pleasing image, Ron. The slope and counter slope of the hawk's back make for an interesting comp, and then the green and the flowers add a special touch.
The original post does have a slight blue hue, but that's what early light often looks like. I guess its a matter of taste whether to leave the blue or warm it up, but for me, when I spend time in early mornings, it's for that clean light.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 6, 2010 at 4:59 PM

Real attractive setting Ron and I like the hawk on the slope for an interesting change of pace. The head position works just fine for me. Very nice look at the eye. I have no preference of one version over the other as I like them both. I envy your ability to use those higher ISO's without paying the price. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on December 7, 2010 at 6:17 AM

F/5.6 was perfect here, the hawk is nice & sharp with excellent details Ron.
I think the small OOF flowers down front add well. Like the sloped terrain too..
Very well done

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on December 7, 2010 at 11:41 AM

I love this Ron, nice to see this hawk on the ground with lovely eye contact. Very nice details for ISO 1250.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments