Coopers-WARNING-GRAPHIC

Gallery: AvianPosted March 10, 20152,383 views9 comments

I was just about to start an online tutoring session this evening when my wife spotted a disturbance in the back yard.

This Cooper's Hawk and his mate have set up a nest in a tree in the neighbors back yard. This is what is left of a White Winged Dove that this male (I also saw the female a few minutes later - she is noticeably larger) had plucked clean in our backyard, then took to this tree stump.

I grabbed the 7D Mark II with the 500 f/4 and went out to get a few frames. 200+ frames later the female had come in, and then took off with the remnants.

Great late evening light. Hope you enjoy seeing nature, even though sometimes it is a bit tough to look at!!

Very slight crop from the top. Full frame other than that.
7D Mark II
500mm f/4
ISO 640
1/800 f/7.1
Handheld

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on March 10, 2015 at 11:39 PM

Well taken! I like the turn of the hawks head. Good detail and color. Like the perch also. thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on March 11, 2015 at 12:02 AM

Nicely done Keith. Love the red eyes on Cooper's and they really stand out here. I also like the head turn and the mouthful of prey. Nice work!

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

Comment posted by keith mitchell on March 11, 2015 at 4:12 AM

Keith great opportunity that you took very well, agree those eyes make it along with a very good pose.

Keith.

Registered on July 12, 2008, 127 Posts, 1735 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on March 11, 2015 at 6:32 AM

Very nice evening light on the bird, it stands out really well because of this. And what an event, happening in your own backyard ! Lucky you

, Cheers, Hans

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

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on March 11, 2015 at 8:43 AM

great light, and a nice pose and comp, Keith. I like this a lot--it's a great depiction of life as a hawk. nice to get this opportunity in your own backyard!

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

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on March 11, 2015 at 9:53 AM

Hey Keith,
Wonderful light and the angle highlights all the right spots so perfectly on the subject and the perch. I guess the neighbors will be seeing a lot more of you this spring than they normally do.

Man !

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

Comment posted by David Bogener on March 11, 2015 at 1:19 PM

Love it. The dramatic lighting, the head turn, the visible prey all make this a special image.

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

Comment posted by Steve Thompson on March 11, 2015 at 5:20 PM

What an amazing opportunity and capture Keith. The light looks fantastic and the details in the image are sharp as can be. I have to quote Hans, "Lucky You!" Great image...

Registered on August 7, 2014, 125 Posts, 2319 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on March 12, 2015 at 9:39 PM

Mmmmm... hamburger for lunch

Great catch, Keith. Funny, but whenever I see a scene like this I always hope it's a House Finch or a Starling. Eat more Grackle I say. But I imagine that even to a Cooper's Hawk a Dove just tastes better.

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