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Difficult lady
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Difficult lady

by Edwin kats

Gallery: Regional: UKNPPosted March 6, 2011437 views17 comments
This is already my favorite image of the year. A truly exciting experience, I will never forget. First this goshawk flew straight over my hide making no sound at all. I felt my heart beating and after half an hour she did the same but landed on the ground. She was nervous and after a few seconds she left, screaming like crazy. Again after 40 minutes, same thing happened. She landed, looked around and left screaming. I didn't move or touch the camera. Almost an hour later she returned but this time from the left. She landed right onto the bait. Screaming and looking around like she was chased by a ghost. After a few seconds she left but this time I pressed the shutter, holding my breath and gently squeezing the shutter release, because I realized my camera was still on iso 400 and the shutter speed was not more then 1/20 sec. It was nearly dark.
I know she lost her mate early this year and I think there's another male in the area. I wish her luck finding another mate but I blame her for giving me high blood pressure.

Comments

17 comments
Comment posted by Neil Burton on March 6, 2011 at 3:19 PM
Well worth the blood pressure Edwin, sure you can get tablets. This is the finest image I have seen of any bird of prey.
Registered on September 16, 2010, 26 Posts, 461 Comments
Comment posted by Ian Mason on March 6, 2011 at 3:26 PM
Absolutely superb. Amazing sharpness given the settings. Perch and background perfect too.
Registered on December 14, 2005, 399 Posts, 2305 Comments
Comment posted by keith mitchell on March 6, 2011 at 3:31 PM
Edwin sounds like real excitement but worth it for this superb image.

Keith.
Registered on July 12, 2008, 127 Posts, 1735 Comments
Comment posted by Karen Summers on March 6, 2011 at 3:33 PM
what s fantastic story and a fantastic experience and fantastic image
Registered on December 3, 2009, 83 Posts, 818 Comments
Comment posted by Paul Rosser on March 6, 2011 at 4:13 PM
I could feel my heart beating faster, just reading this story Edwin! Fantastic! A great image all considered, and a truly memorable moment captured forever. Back it up, and back it up again!!! :toast: :toast: :toast:
Regards,
Paul Rosser. :wavey:
Registered on October 25, 2009, 61 Posts, 188 Comments
Comment posted by Austin Thomas on March 6, 2011 at 4:13 PM
A great story Edwin and I like the composition she offered as well.

Well done.

Cheers

Austin
Registered on March 7, 2008, 45 Posts, 207 Comments
Comment posted by Dale Sutton on March 6, 2011 at 4:24 PM
Sounds like a fantastic experence Ed, I can just imagine it, I have had a simular feeling on the odd occasion.
Superb shot and held at 1/20 th.

Dale :toast: :toast: :toast:
Registered on December 9, 2009, 15 Posts, 84 Comments
Comment posted by Peter Cross on March 6, 2011 at 4:37 PM
A truly winning image Edwin. Nicely set up and a great pose from the bird. Amazing detail and a wonderful composition. Considering your shutter speed, you must have a very light trigger finger. The light is gorgeous and really shows off the colors on the bird and the foreground and the background further supports the image. Great job. Patience on your part really paid off.

Peter
Registered on April 3, 2010, 271 Posts, 1342 Comments
Comment posted by Geoffrey Baker on March 6, 2011 at 4:56 PM
An excellent image, what an experience it must have been.
Well done.

Geoff.
Registered on August 20, 2010, 192 Posts, 980 Comments
Comment posted by Oscar Dewhurst on March 6, 2011 at 5:02 PM
Stunning shot - I would probably knock the tipod and hide over with excitement, and then swear loudly! :jump: :toast: :toast: :toast:

Oscar :wavey:
Registered on August 6, 2009, 85 Posts, 502 Comments
Comment posted by Peter Edge on March 6, 2011 at 10:12 PM
A stunning shot. What a great story i could feel the tension.
What wildlife photography is all about.
Pete
Registered on May 4, 2009, 1 Posts, 25 Comments
Comment posted by Youssef Ismail on March 7, 2011 at 1:57 AM
Edwin,

This is stunning and the story is fantastic. I miss my days as a falconer. This photo brings back many good memories.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 474 Posts, 5555 Comments
Comment posted by Graham Goddard on March 7, 2011 at 1:41 PM
Saw this on my iphone yesterday but waited until tonight to be able to view on my main monitor to fully appreciate it - I'm not dissappointed !

:toast: :toast:
Registered on November 21, 2008, 66 Posts, 253 Comments
Comment posted by Edwin kats on March 7, 2011 at 1:42 PM
Thank you so much :wavey:

Edwin
Registered on April 24, 2006, 177 Posts, 399 Comments
Comment posted by Ian Haskell on March 7, 2011 at 7:08 PM
She looks very nice and at 1/20 even better.

Ian
Registered on October 30, 2008, 24 Posts, 673 Comments
Comment posted by Barry Southon on March 8, 2011 at 3:36 AM
Edwin

You're getting the idea with this photographic game. Superb capture.
:wink:
Registered on March 13, 2006, 21 Posts, 150 Comments
Comment posted by Philip Kirkham on March 8, 2011 at 7:34 AM
It ticks every box, and more besides! Superb.
Best wishes
Phil
Registered on October 9, 2004, 63 Posts, 153 Comments