Cooper's Hawk

Gallery: AvianPosted December 15, 2013155 views10 comments

Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)

Place: Gilbert Water Ranch, AZ
Date: December 12, 2013, 8:26 am
Equipment: Nikon D300, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E III (2x), Gitzo 1325, RRS BH-55, sidekick
ISO 800, aperture priority spot metered, 1/100th @ f/8
Raw, PS CS3 on Mac, 68% of frame
Not set up, not baited, no cloning, no noise reduction

A chance encounter with a juvenile Cooper's Hawk along one of the trails at the Water Ranch. I only got off a few frames and couldn’t get closer for a less obstructed view.

Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated. Large version provided as always.

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on December 15, 2013 at 12:14 PM

Nice, Richard. The head is unobstructed and I don't find the few intervening twigs that distracting.

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

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on December 15, 2013 at 3:24 PM

Love the pose and the sharp look, exposure is excellent. The branches in front and behind give a great realistic view in my opinion. This is how you see these birds in the wild. Wonderful shot!

Ray

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

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on December 15, 2013 at 3:43 PM

Not an unobstructed view, but you got what's important! This is a very handsome bird! Sharon

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on December 15, 2013 at 9:04 PM

Nice pose here with the prey. Fine detail and typical habitat.
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Bill Kellermeyer on December 16, 2013 at 9:09 AM

Thought I Had one in the yard last week. Now I know I had one in the yard. Great image. Very sharp considering all the twigs trying to capture the focus.

Registered on March 19, 2013, 52 Posts, 161 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on December 16, 2013 at 6:35 PM

Nice capture and good job separating the bird from the twigs

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

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on December 16, 2013 at 10:23 PM

Nice capture Richard...do you know what the prey is? I am still looking for a shot of a Cooper's with prey, good work.

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on December 16, 2013 at 10:31 PM

do you know what the prey is?

Sorry, I don't. It seems too big to be a bird. If anybody has an idea I'd be glad to hear it.

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on December 17, 2013 at 7:37 PM

Nice clear view of the head/shoulders, great detail/DOF & the colors look natural Rich.
The fact that bird has prey, discounts any case that could be made for an obstructed view..

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on December 17, 2013 at 7:56 PM

Part of a crayfish tail maybe? But how? Most likely the remains of one of my chickens

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