Sparrow Hawk (Male)

Gallery: AvianPosted December 21, 2013231 views15 comments

Sparrow hawk (Male)
This bird landed on a perch put up for something else, and ate a young bird. I waited and the customary after meal “fluff up “ came.
The strange colour of the back drop is a quarry face in the Worcestershire old red sandstone. There was some red reflection on the bird which I think I,ve sorted but then that’s how it was anyway.
Nikon D200
Crop from landscape
Sigma 50-500 mm at about 400mm
640 ISO 200sec @ f8

Cheers
JR

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by Matthew Studebaker on December 21, 2013 at 8:37 PM

fantastic pose, clean background, and interesting perch. Well done!

Registered on December 21, 2013, 11 Posts, 82 Comments

Comment posted by Craig Strand on December 22, 2013 at 6:21 AM

A top notch winner John, I love everything about this, especially the OOF BG! Well done!

Registered on March 30, 2008, 416 Posts, 2885 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on December 22, 2013 at 8:06 AM

Great light, pose and perch. Tiny nit....it does seem a tad tight on the right.

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

Comment posted by Martin Dunn on December 22, 2013 at 8:22 AM

John that is super shot.
colours, sharpness, perch and pose all spot on.
Once again it pays to know your subject.

Registered on February 20, 2013, 198 Posts, 1011 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on December 22, 2013 at 11:24 AM

Love the bg, pose and details. Very nice! Sharon

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on December 22, 2013 at 11:52 AM

Lovely colors and soft light; nice pose. A touch more space by the tail would be nice.

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on December 22, 2013 at 1:33 PM

Beautiful, John. I love the fluffed out feathers and that's a gorgeous perch.

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

Comment posted by John Robinson on December 22, 2013 at 1:51 PM

Thanks all.
here's a different crop off the original
Thanks for looking.
Cheers
JR

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

Comment posted by Max Waugh on December 22, 2013 at 2:27 PM

Wonderful perch and background, John. Though I prefer the repost, I'd consider cropping slightly off the right side to get the bird out of the center of the frame.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by John Robinson on December 22, 2013 at 2:44 PM

Spot on Max - almost between the two. I wanted someone to say that !!
Cheers
JR

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

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on December 22, 2013 at 3:16 PM

Outstanding Image John,
I prefer the original post.
Well Done . . .

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on December 22, 2013 at 4:09 PM

This one is a beauty John

Love that pose!!!

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on December 23, 2013 at 7:35 PM

Very nice complimentary colors, excellent image John!

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

Comment posted by John Robinson on December 23, 2013 at 7:56 PM

Thanks again !
Just noticed my POTW with the little owl and worm (I,m a bit behind the times. ) Honoured indeed considering the quality of the stuff on here ! Made my Christmas.

Thanks.
JR

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

Comment posted by Basri Akcasoy on December 27, 2013 at 4:48 PM

Superb, with pose, composition and BG. Happy new year...

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