Juv. Red-tailed Hawk

Gallery: AvianPosted September 22, 2011702 views22 comments

I saw this hawk as it hit the ground in a hay field. Moments later it took off, with bloody talons, but no prey.

Nikon D300; SIGMA 500/4.5; f5.6 @ 1/1600th; ISO 320; HH; approx. 50% FF.

All comments and suggestions most welcome.

Thanks for looking.

Comments

22 comments

Comment posted by David E Lester on September 22, 2011 at 10:54 AM

For me great shot...no nits here...great color, action and subject placement...well done!!!

Registered on March 24, 2010, 155 Posts, 793 Comments

Comment posted by John Blumenkamp on September 22, 2011 at 11:06 AM

Beautiful take off posture that looks great against that grass field. Excellent image Tom!

Registered on February 26, 2011, 58 Posts, 313 Comments

Comment posted by Peter J. Morrissey on September 22, 2011 at 11:07 AM

This is a great hand held action shot.

Registered on July 3, 2011, 188 Posts, 969 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on September 22, 2011 at 11:24 AM

Well caught and processed. Good detail, good eye contact, and wonderful wing spread. The grass is not the best BG in the world, but it is what came with.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on September 22, 2011 at 12:52 PM

Great pose n wingspread ! I find the whites on legs, a bit hot, but I'm viewing it on my new monitor...so could be wrong.

Jagdeep Rajput

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on September 22, 2011 at 1:35 PM

Exceptional pose and action. I'd wish for some separation between the head and back wing, but only a lucky burst would have a chance at that.
Fine image!!
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on September 22, 2011 at 1:50 PM

Great timing to get this take off, the wing spread, feather colors and background really make this red-tailed stand out, way to go.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Roman Kurywczak on September 22, 2011 at 3:17 PM

Very nice launch pose Tom! Great job on the angle!

Registered on November 20, 2009, 56 Posts, 748 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on September 22, 2011 at 3:21 PM

Nice action shot, nice sharpness ! One wonders what happened in the grass and what was left behind.. In any case the blood-red talons are adding a nice touch of color to the image ! Well done, cheers, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on September 22, 2011 at 4:52 PM

Great wing spread and an excellent image, Red-tailed hawks are on of my favorites.

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on September 22, 2011 at 8:27 PM

Nice position; good exposure. Well done hand-held shot.

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

Comment posted by David Haynes on September 22, 2011 at 9:00 PM

Tom,
Well done. No Nits. Love the bloody claw and clarity.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on September 22, 2011 at 9:36 PM

Tom, a very nice shot of this red-tail. I like the grass background as it adds a great sense of place. I like the position of the bird and the great look at the left underwing area. My only small nit is the bright spot on the upper left leg. If this were mine I would work on bringing that area back in line. Overall a very dynamic image.

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

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on September 22, 2011 at 10:22 PM

Nice action shot, Tom. The blood on the talons is really cool. You captured a great wing spread.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on September 22, 2011 at 11:15 PM

Excellent, Tom. I like the wing position and the good look at the eye, and the light is very nice.

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

Comment posted by antino cervigni on September 26, 2011 at 2:36 PM

Excellent shot. Regards Antino

Registered on April 17, 2010, 70 Posts, 202 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on September 26, 2011 at 2:45 PM

Wonderful action Tom. Lots of detail, even the blood on the talons.
May

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

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on September 28, 2011 at 1:04 PM

Brilliant shot Tom, don't know how I missed it before but pleased I got to see it now; congratulations on it having been chosen for the WP!

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments

Comment posted by Tom Lusk on September 28, 2011 at 2:59 PM

Thanks for all the great comments!

I have worked on the "hot" leg and have been able to tone it down. Thanks for pointing it out.

As for the WP, I guess I can retire now.

Registered on September 17, 2005, 312 Posts, 600 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on September 29, 2011 at 1:26 AM

Congrats on the EP! Wonderful image -

Sandy

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

Comment posted by Verdon on September 29, 2011 at 1:32 AM

great one.......

Registered on June 10, 2011, 147 Posts, 1444 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on September 29, 2011 at 11:28 PM

Congrats Tom, great red-tail!

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