Cooper’s Hawk

Gallery: AvianPosted November 29, 2015103 views6 comments

Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)

Place: Phoenix, AZ
Date: November 28, 2015
Equipment: Nikon D7200, Nikkor AF-S 300/4, handheld
ISO 800, aperture priority spot metered, 1/250th @ f/8
Raw in Adobe DNG, PS CS3 on Mac, 47% of frame
Backyard, through partly clean glass door

Three weeks ago I posted a juvie Cooper's Hawk taken in the same tree, through thre same glass patio door This might be the same bird, but we get a variety of accipiters of different ages so there’s no real way to tell.

This time I had just cleaned the glass earlier in the day, and the Coop moved to a better perch with very nice lighting. I also got to take this with my new D7200 that I’m just getting set up properly.

I feel the composition is a little off balance. There was a bit more glaring bright light in the top left background that needed to be cropped out. I also wanted to retain the extra branch dropping down on the right side. So these two constraints put the bird a bit farther to the left than I normally would have it.

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

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on November 29, 2015 at 6:44 PM

The compositoin does feel a little tighton the top, Richard, but that sure is sweet light on the Cooper's Hawk. Excellent techs, as always.

devil

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

Comment posted by Floyd Hopper on November 29, 2015 at 7:48 PM

Great lighting on the hawk. I feel the light bg is a little distracting. I would ajust the bg lighting. I would add a little more detail on the wing. I know, easier said than done. Over all a good a very nice photo.

Registered on May 1, 2009, 652 Posts, 762 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on November 29, 2015 at 7:51 PM

Gorgeous detail on the eye - especially given that you shot this through an extra pane of glass. The image feels pretty well balanced here, though I would like a hint more blur in the background

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

Comment posted by Steve Thompson on November 29, 2015 at 7:51 PM

Hey Richard, I love this frame. The branch, greens in the background and that intense look in the Cooper's eye. I agree the balance seems off just a touch. You said "I also wanted to retain the extra branch dropping down on the right side." That's where I was going to suggest an adjusment. I guess I don't see the branch hanging down as adding that much value to the image and would have cropped it away pulling the Cooper to the right. You could try it and see what you think. All just my opinion. Really cool shot! devil

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on November 30, 2015 at 7:08 AM

I like this composition a lot, I really like the branch leading me to the hawk from the top of the frame, but I do wish for more space on the left side of the frame. Love the spot light effect of this photo.

Sweet One Richard!

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

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on November 30, 2015 at 9:36 AM

Nice light on the subject here ! Love the alert pose of the bird as well ! Congrats, hans

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