goshawk!

While sitting under a camo cloth this morning at a waterhole, this Northern Goshawk paid a visit. He took a few different perches over about 5 minutes, then left in pursuit of a dove. Goshawks are very rare on the South Rim, and I'm lucky to see one a year. So I'm thrilled to have gotten a shot of one. Didn't think it was worthy of the critique gallery, especially with the clipped bill, but wanted to share it anyway. This is about 25% of original. The talons are pretty impressive!

Very cool, I have never seen one of these before.

Congratulations. I haven't been able to find one around Fairbanks this year; no birds at any of the usual places.

I haven't seen any in many years and have never gotten a photo of the few I've seen. I can understand the thrill of getting this shot.

I like this shot. So what if the beak is a bit clipped. Birds aren't always in a position exactly the way you would like them to be, and sometimes you just have to take the shot. I'd rather take the shot even if it won't be perfect rather than miss out on the opportunity to capture a bird like this.

Thanks for sharing the photo and experience. IMHO you could have posted in Avian gallery, as it is a good photo.

Very cool! I have only seen a few and never photographed one.

Cool, Brian. I've never seen one. A good image despite the beak.