Repost w/ cloning on Coyote shot/Alvord Desert Potpourri

I'm really behind on processing and sharing my pictures this summer. I just got back from a long weekend in the Steens/Alvord/Fields area, and I thought I would share a few shots.

Great Horned Owl was "shot" in the little oasis across from the Fields Station. It's an incredible place. We saw two Great Horned Owls, one barn owl, a falcon (I think), and a coyote....all within about 45 minutes.

All were taken with my 7D, 100-400mm L, and with a mid-range ISO (it's dark in that oasis).

Feedback and suggestions appreciated.

Here is the coyote

And the raptor. I.D. appreciated.

Wonderful shots! Superb wildlife close-ups.

As to the raptor, I would suspect a Red-tailed Hawk. Maybe an intermediate Harlan's or a Harlan's mixed with a Western?? I'd love to have an expert weigh in.

Wow, some amazing and well composed images Marylynne. I love the poses and that each is a clear view without imposing branches or leaves. The Great Horned Owl is especially nice and well detailed. As for the hawk let me first admit that I am not great at my raptor ID's. If I had to guess, after consulting Sibley's guide, I would have to guess at either a Rough-legged hawk or possibly a juvenile (1 yr) Swainson's, the adult Rough-legged at about 21" and the Swainson's at 19" or less.
All great shots, well composed and recorded, nice job!

Thanks, John and Craig. The raptor was smallish, but could have been 21" or 19ish". He was more speckled than most red tailed hawks I've seen, but my birding skills are remedial at best.

This little oasis is worth a trip to Fields if you haven't been before. The town has a few motel rooms, a cabin, and a stone house (with no living room furniture, but comfy otherwise) all clustered around the store/diner/gas station. The store has boutique whiskeys, gourmet foods like gorganzola stuffed olives, and an incredible beer selection (we went nostalgic and got Iron City instead of Ninkasa).

The owners said the bird varieties increase dramatically in the oasis during the Winter. We are definitely going back.

Excellent collection of wildlife images Marylynne. My favorite is the coyote looking directly at the viewer. The Alvord is one of my favorite places in Oregon. We stayed at Fields Station last November and had a great time exploring the area. Tom (the owner) definitely has an impressive selection of microbrews in the Fields Station store!

Marylynne,

Great wildlife images you have shared with us! While I concentrate on landscapes and nature your images are very nice.

You indicated that you got to Steens Mountain. Did you go up the road to the top and if so how far along are the Aspen trees?

Thanks,

Thanks, Phil and Scott. I did go up to the top. I'll share some landscape shots from the trip later this week. The aspens were all green last week when we were there. This weeks cool down should precipitate some change, but it felt very much like summer still last week.

Love the wildlife especially that owl, wow.

Great shots, all, Marylynne! Sounds like a fun trip. Waitin' to see more!

abundance of wildlife, i'll have to get there one day. Nice shots!

Thanks, everyone. I'll do a bit of nr and try to highlight the eyes a bit in additional processing. Look for posts of a couple of landscape images from Steens and the Desert soon.

So, I tried to pick away at the obstructing foliage around the coyote. This was a cloning bonanza session. I know the result is a small size file, but do you think I did a good job with this, or would you stick with the original (you know, for christmas gift calendars and such ;-).

So, I tried to pick away at the obstructing foliage around the coyote. This was a cloning bonanza session. I know the result is a small size file, but do you think I did a good job with this, or would you stick with the original (you know, for christmas gift calendars and such ;-).