Posted by Kurt Bowman on December 3, 2013 at 9:28 PM
I just got back home yesterday after spending a few days in Bosque Del Apache. The bird counts were great, but the light wasn't so cooperative. Had completely overcast skies for
2 1/2 days (except for 3 minutes Saturday morning when the sun peeked through the clouds). Finally the sun came out late Sunday and stayed out through Monday morning before I had to leave. The one advantage of the overcast days is I could shoot in the afternoon without harsh light. I ran into a few raptors and thought I would post them first. I will follow-up with some crane and geese's shots once I make my way through the other shots.
Posted by Kurt Bowman on December 3, 2013 at 9:29 PM
#2 Launch
Posted by Kurt Bowman on December 3, 2013 at 9:29 PM
#3 Cooper's Hawk
Posted by Kurt Bowman on December 3, 2013 at 9:30 PM
#4 Cooper's Hawk Launch
Posted by Kurt Bowman on December 3, 2013 at 9:33 PM
#5 Northern Harrier
Posted by Kurt Bowman on December 3, 2013 at 9:33 PM
#6 Northern Harrier Launch
Posted by Ken Henke on December 3, 2013 at 10:08 PM
I frankly believe the overcast condtions were definitely an advantage, No hot spots reflecting off the feathers to deal with. You are definitely the bird master as all images are fantastic. If I had to pick one, Launch is my favorite. The addition of the post in the image was a nice touch.
Posted by Doug Koepsel on December 3, 2013 at 10:42 PM
The large view of #1 is it. I like the forward sweep of the wings, curled tips and head angled towards the viewer. Nice placement of the hawk in the frame. Processing looks well done.
Posted by Scott Fricke on December 4, 2013 at 12:43 PM
Excellent series Kurt, its hard to even pick a favorite, but I'll go for #1 and #6, although I do like #4 for the more unique position you captured.
Posted by Stan Rose on December 4, 2013 at 10:36 PM
awesome series as always, Kurt!
Posted by Don Grall on December 5, 2013 at 2:49 PM
Really like 1 and 4. Super shots! Actually, I feel overcast skies are optimum conditions for shooting in Bosque from 9am to 3pm. I hate the harsh lighting of blue sky, cloudless days there. The only time I love to see some sunshine is at sunrise and sunset, so overall you had wonderful conditions.
Posted by John Mumaw on December 5, 2013 at 3:38 PM
Simply outstanding photography here, Kurt! I also think that the overcast skies were your friend here.
Before I read these comments, I had decided that #'s 1 & 4 were my favorites, but every single image is just wonderful. Thanks a bunch for sharing these with us!
Posted by Jeff Hackett on December 6, 2013 at 9:29 AM
All are top notch Kurt, but I really like #1, so graceful! Looking forward to more.
Great stuff, Kurt, every one! I too really love the curve of those wings in #1, and #2 and #6 stand out to me as well. It's great to see some raptor shots from the Bosque. People get so fixated on the cranes and geese, but my folks and I always really enjoyed the raptors when we went.
Discussion
14 replies2 1/2 days (except for 3 minutes Saturday morning when the sun peeked through the clouds). Finally the sun came out late Sunday and stayed out through Monday morning before I had to leave. The one advantage of the overcast days is I could shoot in the afternoon without harsh light. I ran into a few raptors and thought I would post them first. I will follow-up with some crane and geese's shots once I make my way through the other shots.
Before I read these comments, I had decided that #'s 1 & 4 were my favorites, but every single image is just wonderful. Thanks a bunch for sharing these with us!
Sandy