Red-Tailed Hawk

Gallery: AvianPosted February 8, 2010132 views6 comments

My first raptor post! (Larger version uploaded as well).
This was also one of my most thrilling wildlife experiences (clearly I haven't had that many ) - I saw this hawk hunt (unsuccessfully) a jackrabbit that was playing on a meadow near this tree on which the hawk was perched. Momentary though the entire action was, it has surely left a big impression on me. Unfortunately I have no photos to show for it !

This was taken at Shoreline Park, Mountain View, California.

Few comments/queries.

a) ID. Did i get this right. Is this a female / juvenile ?

b) I did not crop this much. Should I go in tighter to showcase more of the hawk. I ended up with this version as I like the branch going to the left and I like this comp-wise.

c) The shadow cutting acroos the upper body is a bit disconcerting. Couldn't do much about it though.

d) other C & C welcome and appreciated.

Canon EOS 40D
1/640
8.0
Exposure Compensation 0
ISO Speed 160
Lens EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Focal Length 350.0 mm
Flash Off
Tripod - Bogen / Manfrotto
Remote release

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on February 8, 2010 at 12:42 PM

a) ID is right - can't tell you male or female (females are larger) and I believe it's an adult
b) My first thought when I saw the thumbnail was how great the composition was
c) I like the shadow as it adds another element and doesn't disrupt any vital parts of the hawk
d) I photographed a Red-tailed this morning which was rather improptu as I saw it land in a perch when I got to work this morning, and as nice of a photo it is, I'd trade it for yours!

- Luke

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on February 8, 2010 at 3:39 PM

Gaurav, I too like the comp. I also like the cocked head and the eye on the hawk. the perch and the horizontal branches against the nice blue sky really make this work for me.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on February 8, 2010 at 7:05 PM

This is one of those shots that the larger image makes a huge difference on Gaurav. I was relatively unimpressed at 720, much more so in the larger photo. Your comp works fine for me but I'll bet it would look great as a closer vertical too although that might accentuate the foreground branch more.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on February 8, 2010 at 8:06 PM

Gaurav,

This is a must view in the larger size! I like this compsed as posted. I love the warm tones of the bird & branches gainst the cool tones of the sky.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on February 8, 2010 at 10:28 PM

I love this as posted Gaurav , and don't mind the shadow one bit.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Dubois on February 9, 2010 at 2:27 PM

I like the comp and the setting Gaurav. The shadow on the breast is a strong distraction for me though.

Registered on February 22, 2005, 129 Posts, 4739 Comments