Redtail + Gopher

Gallery: AvianPosted July 12, 2014612 views9 comments

On my way home from an unsuccessful morning photo outing, I lucked into a Red-tailed Hawk on the side of the road. In the time it took me to turn around and get the camera ready and get the vehicle in place, he dropped to the ground, caught a gopher, and took it to a better perch.

I appreciate your critiques and comments. Please view the larger image if possible.

f/8, 1/1000, ISO 400

Crop to 63% of original (11.4 of 18MP)

Canon 7D, 500mm + 1.4x TC, noodle on car window

Not baited, called, or set-up

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on July 12, 2014 at 4:25 PM

Beautiful, Brian. Lovely light and great action. Your techs look smuck on. Did you try it with the stub on the left removed? I kind of like the balance it adds, but would be interested in seeing it without as well.

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

Comment posted by David Bogener on July 12, 2014 at 4:33 PM

Brian, nice red-tail image. Good pose, detail, and color. Wish the prey was more visible. Another vote to consider removing the stab on the left and the shaded portion of the perch under the tail. Thanks for posting, Dave

Registered on October 30, 2013, 417 Posts, 1255 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on July 12, 2014 at 5:17 PM

Excellent. A nice opportunity. Techs are spot on.

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

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on July 12, 2014 at 7:30 PM

Super good! No nits, just excellence. Wish it was mine!

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on July 12, 2014 at 8:34 PM

Great catch - tack-sharp, good angle, and interesting perch. I'm torn about that left stump - I'd probably get rid of it. You might also try adding a bit of light to the gopher to bring out detail.
excellent!
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on July 12, 2014 at 10:40 PM

Love the action Brian, techs re great. Back and forth about the left side branch. Doesn't bother me much, but I do think removing it would improve the comp.

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

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on July 13, 2014 at 11:24 AM

Nothing beats a little luck. No nits from me.

Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on July 13, 2014 at 9:50 PM

Cool stop-action shot. Tough to get nice shots of red-tails, despite how common they are. I really like the lighting especially on the eye

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on July 14, 2014 at 3:37 PM

Nice job of reacting to this opportunity as you have a really good looking red-tailed image. I like the pose, light and background, way to go Brian.

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