Ferruginous Hawk

Gallery: AvianPosted January 7, 20121,015 views27 comments

A large crop and there's still a lot of dead space around the bird but this is about as close as I've been able to get to this species and I liked the pose.

I spent quite a while trying to get close to this hawk and it seemed relaxed during my approach. But I'm beginning to think that a wing stretch like this from a bird who has been resting for a while is often a sign of imminent take-off if I continue to approach.

7D, 1/1250, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, shot from pickup window on 11/8/11, exposure adjustment in ACR, cropped to 46% of original image, sharpened bird and perch, no additional processing or adjustments, natural light, not baited, set up or called in

Larger version provided

Comments/critique appreciated

Comments

27 comments

Comment posted by John Robinson on January 7, 2012 at 6:37 PM

That's a great shot. I would even suggest a slightly bigger crop to add more impact .
Others will no doubt not agree. My personal thoughts. Still a great shot whatever.
JohnR

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by Eirini Pajak on January 7, 2012 at 6:41 PM

Super sharp! Maybe he was stretching!

Registered on December 13, 2011, 216 Posts, 1671 Comments

Comment posted by Suzanne Huot on January 7, 2012 at 6:58 PM

Sweet image and super sharp.

Registered on December 28, 2010, 32 Posts, 240 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 7, 2012 at 7:55 PM

These are awesome birds Ron. Love the pose and the image looks great. The eyes really draw me in.

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on January 7, 2012 at 8:19 PM

Looks excellent to me Ron, I especially like the hawks pose here..
I think the centered comp is well suited for this subjects pose, & the vertical perch..
Very nice!

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

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on January 7, 2012 at 8:29 PM

Wonderful capture. Even with the significant crop you still have a great amount of detail on the bird. The pose and frontal view is perfect. I've seen plenty of hawks do this and pretend they are going to take flight, but until your too close you will never know.

Registered on October 31, 2011, 170 Posts, 1240 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Harris on January 7, 2012 at 8:45 PM

Ron, This is one great image. I think the crop is just right.

Registered on August 2, 2010, 169 Posts, 741 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on January 7, 2012 at 9:06 PM

I like this one, Ron. A pose that we don't see too often. Looks like "Cover Shot" material from here. Nice.

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by Hali Sowle on January 7, 2012 at 10:38 PM

Great image really nice detail and great pose. I like the crop with the image centered, it seems perfect for this pose.

Registered on January 9, 2008, 36 Posts, 582 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on January 7, 2012 at 10:52 PM

great pose and nice light in the eye, Ron. given what you had to work with I think you composed this just right--I'd be happy to have something this good in my files for this species, for sure.

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on January 7, 2012 at 11:01 PM

Talk about eye contact. This is a very strong composition and image.

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on January 7, 2012 at 11:53 PM

Excellent capture of a beautiful bird. No nits from me, not even the bird poop!

Sandy

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

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on January 8, 2012 at 12:43 AM

Sweet. Ferrugs are spooky birds; good work getting this close. I know in captive birds, when they rouse like this is a sign they are going to fly.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Debbie Yarra on January 8, 2012 at 2:07 AM

Love the pose looks like he's going to fly right into your camera! Great eye contact and the colors are great! Nice and sharp. Would love to see one of these birds.

Registered on January 1, 2012, 5 Posts, 91 Comments

Comment posted by Fabio Giarrizzo on January 8, 2012 at 3:21 AM

Great pose and perfect timing on this image- On larger version it seems there is good detail, so I'd try a bit stronger cropping to enhance the pose of the bird- Very well done, Fabio

Registered on December 3, 2010, 90 Posts, 1614 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on January 8, 2012 at 8:07 AM

Nice pose and a beautiful subject. I like your comp ...it looks like the bird was looking right down at you. This would also make a nice square comp if you so desired. Great job getting close enough for this. Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by John Blumenkamp on January 8, 2012 at 9:16 AM

Great pose and I really like the quality of the light here Ron. Looks like the image quality is there to even crop a little more if desired? I like the amount of space you have included.

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

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on January 8, 2012 at 11:50 AM

Another breathtakingly beautiful image. Beautiful position of and look from the bird, so extraordinarily sharp. It makes me feel as though I can actually feel the feathers.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Rhodus on January 8, 2012 at 12:31 PM

I enjoy seeing unique poses and positions so you know I'm really loving this one. I really admire your consistent quality and attention to detail Ron. Beautiful shot.

Registered on November 16, 2003, 157 Posts, 3326 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on January 8, 2012 at 4:13 PM

Graphically interesting and a really nice subject. The only thing that would improve this shot is catch light on both eyes

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

Comment posted by Tonia Graves on January 8, 2012 at 5:17 PM

Beautiful! Great pose & eye contact!

Registered on October 29, 2011, 92 Posts, 1035 Comments

Comment posted by Roger Leekam on January 8, 2012 at 5:56 PM

I very much like the pose, color & BG. Crop not a problem for me, but if you want a tiny bit off the bottom wouldn't hurt. I would say that he's indeed about to take off.

Registered on May 28, 2009, 83 Posts, 646 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on January 8, 2012 at 11:02 PM

Way to cool, I really love this head on view with the look and wing positions. Excellent shot Ron, nice job approaching and getting this, it really paid off, well done, the larger image was a pleasure to view.

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

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on January 8, 2012 at 11:14 PM

Exceptional capture Ron, if I haven't said it before I'll say it now: I absolutely love your work and many thanks for the inspiration! Wishing you a wonderful year ahead :^)

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

Comment posted by May Haga on January 9, 2012 at 6:13 PM

Amazing capture Ron. Nice to get him on a post at eye level. The raised wings is the icing on the cake.
May

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

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on January 10, 2012 at 3:21 AM

This is excellent Ron. The stare is riveting, the comp works very well, and you managed to get great detail.

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

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on January 10, 2012 at 11:21 AM

I really love the pose, the perch and the beautiful simplicity of this shot. I think you must be a "hawk whisperer."

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments