Red-tailed Hawk

Gallery: AvianPosted September 30, 2012857 views23 comments

This juvenile would do its "sit and wait" hunting from these rocks on the side of a steep hill and when it would spot prey (usually voles, once a small snake) on the side of the hill it would occasionally take off in my general direction.

7D, 1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, shot from pickup window on 9/5/12, cropped to 58% of original image, sharpened bird and perch, no additional processing or adjustments, natural light, not baited, set up or called in

I chose this composition because I liked the rocks at bottom

Larger version provided

Comments/critique appreciated

Comments

23 comments

Comment posted by Peter Cross on September 30, 2012 at 7:37 PM

Nice one, Ron. Good action and you caught it at a perfect point. Well composed and exposed. Perfect BG and a limited color palette that really works well.

Registered on April 3, 2010, 271 Posts, 1342 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on September 30, 2012 at 7:38 PM

Absolutely top drawer, Ron! Good to see you back posting!

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

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on September 30, 2012 at 7:45 PM

Ron,
Beautiful capture.

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on September 30, 2012 at 8:10 PM

Very nice action shot. Great detail, color and composition.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Randy Bacon on September 30, 2012 at 8:56 PM

Fine shot Ron, great detail and a beautiful BG. I agree, the rock perch adds a nice element - well dine.

Registered on November 24, 2008, 56 Posts, 492 Comments

Comment posted by Butch Lama on September 30, 2012 at 9:07 PM

Great lift off capture with deadly talons... Glad to see your posing here after long time.

Registered on July 23, 2010, 42 Posts, 316 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on September 30, 2012 at 11:35 PM

An impeccable image as always.

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

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on September 30, 2012 at 11:48 PM

Such wonderful detail under those wings, one in shade the other sunlit. Outstanding image IMO.

Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on October 1, 2012 at 12:33 AM

Nice to see a post from you Ron. I haven't posted too much lately, but haven't seen anything from you in awhile.

Love the wing position and especially the dangling feet.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on October 1, 2012 at 12:55 AM

Another first rate image. I like the colors. The hawk;s position gives this image a lot of action.

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

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on October 1, 2012 at 9:09 AM

Excellent image Ron, I like the composition with the rocks a lot (actually I assume I was there recently, however only rocks then...) ! Well done ! Cheers, Hans

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on October 1, 2012 at 11:18 AM

GREAT to see you back and sharing these exceptional images again!
Wonderful pose, intent stare, your usual exquisite detail - and I agree that the rocks add a unique element.

Sandy

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on October 1, 2012 at 3:05 PM

Very cool shot Ron. I also like the rocks as they add that extra element into an already outstanding image. Good eye contact and background but I like the subtle contrast with one white wing showing. Excellent shot.

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

Comment posted by William Bickle on October 1, 2012 at 4:43 PM

Hello Ron

Welcome back & Great to see this well-done Image. The Foreground does appeal to me as well. The Detailed White Wing Feathers underside are sharp and have a sence of wind movement to enhance them! Those powerful Talons are well positioned with excellent Detail!! & the Raptors Eye is Great.

Thanks for Sharing. Hope you are Doin OK?

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by John Neukirch on October 1, 2012 at 7:09 PM

Incredible capture! I can't seem to stop looking at it.

Registered on July 9, 2012, 207 Posts, 1476 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on October 1, 2012 at 8:06 PM

Perfect exposure, perfect sharpness, wonderful flight position/wing position. Couldn't be better.

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

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on October 1, 2012 at 11:24 PM

Good to see you haven't lost it, Ron.

Your usual incredibleness. I like the action and the dof.

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

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on October 2, 2012 at 7:07 PM

I can only second Charlie's phrase: "Your usual incredibleness." And let me add that birding and photographing birds with Ron and Mia is equally incredible.

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

Comment posted by Basri Akcasoy on October 3, 2012 at 8:40 AM

Excellent capture, with pose, sharp detail and nice back ground. TFS.

Registered on February 16, 2012, 118 Posts, 767 Comments

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on October 3, 2012 at 9:39 AM

Stunning shot. The action is captivating.

Registered on March 13, 2011, 326 Posts, 1679 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on October 5, 2012 at 9:58 PM

Another gorgeous raptor image, Ron. Nice to see you posting again.