Swainson's Hawk

Gallery: AvianPosted September 19, 2010240 views23 comments

As Mia mentioned, we just returned from another camping/photo trip to Red Rock Lakes NWR in SW Montana where we found this cooperative juvenile. The raptors are abundant there now but typically quite difficult to get close to. However, this one was apparently so intent on hunting grasshoppers from the dirt road we were on that it let us get quite close.

7D, 1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 400, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, shot from pickup window on 9/17/10, small exposure adjustment in ACR, cropped to 79% of original image, sharpened bird and perch, cloned out one dust spot, no additional adjustments or processing, natural light, not baited

Larger image provided

Comments/critique appreciated

Comments

23 comments

Comment posted by Gary Marquart on September 19, 2010 at 7:32 PM

Nice one as usual Ron, What a perfect background color for this bird!

Registered on October 24, 2009, 126 Posts, 799 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on September 19, 2010 at 7:44 PM

Just a real beautiful look at this bird. I've never had a chance to see one but I'd be thrilled with a raptor photo like this - no matter what the species.

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on September 19, 2010 at 7:58 PM

A fine image as posted. Love the understated colors in this and the clean look.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on September 19, 2010 at 9:17 PM

In addition to the lovely colors, great pose and fine detail here, Ron, i especially like that we have such a beautiful view of this bird. The post allows us to clearly see the talons and there are no distractions. The background color complements the bird perfectly. The post itself has some character and is shown to just the right amount.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Buck Ward on September 19, 2010 at 9:54 PM

Excellence in avian photography. The sharpness and bokeh just knock my socks off.

Registered on December 8, 2003, 96 Posts, 1917 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on September 19, 2010 at 9:55 PM

Wonderful, sharp detail against that simple BG. You always deliver.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Ronnie Gaubert on September 19, 2010 at 10:28 PM

Awesome view of this beautiful hawk. Super details throughout the image. Might be an optical illusion but I seem to want to tilt my head a little when viewing. But there is no way of determining what's level in this type of shot. I just go with my gut feeling on what's level in images like this.
Ronnie

Registered on November 1, 2003, 810 Posts, 3495 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on September 19, 2010 at 11:04 PM

You may be right Ronnie. I remember making an effort to keep my gear level when I was shooting this but it was shot vertically and I may have been off. No way to tell for sure I don't think.

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

Comment posted by Neil Rossmiller on September 19, 2010 at 11:30 PM

Hi Ron,
The tilt of the fence post may give the illusion of not being straight, but I don't think it detracts from the image.
Another great shot!
Neil

Registered on October 30, 2009, 156 Posts, 749 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on September 19, 2010 at 11:35 PM

Ok, ok so THIS is a Swainson's!

Another exceptional image here - the pose is great and the diagonal perch really adds interest.
Sandy r

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on September 20, 2010 at 12:05 AM

It is sure nice to have a cooperative bird. Wonderful detail to this, the comp and colors work well together. I must of gone to look a the larger image 5 times, excellent job Ron.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on September 20, 2010 at 6:05 AM

Impressive shot, Ron. Great classic pose. Perfect exposure, sharpness, detail...

Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on September 20, 2010 at 10:00 AM

Ron,
very nice pose, excellent detail and clear background. Beautiful capture.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by Darren Colello on September 20, 2010 at 4:18 PM

Wow excellent detail, really handsome raptor. Exceptional work Ron.

Registered on July 27, 2009, 175 Posts, 1100 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on September 20, 2010 at 4:24 PM

Sweet shot Ron. Love the color palate in this shot. The details in the breast feather pattern just grab me. Weathered post works well here. Very nice.

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

Comment posted by Rohn B. McKee on September 20, 2010 at 11:46 PM

Ron,
Another nice exposure. Looks like some bright light to challenge the image, but you handled it well. I love the sharpness and the attitude of the young bird. How many hours per image? Lots huh!

Registered on November 18, 2008, 109 Posts, 415 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on September 21, 2010 at 9:25 AM

This is wonderful, Ron! And, probably ready for the long haul to Argentina or somewhere down thataway?

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on September 21, 2010 at 10:57 AM

Really nice image Ron. I really like the background on this, the exposure is good, and a perfect head angle with catch light in the eye. He does look intent. Hope you guys had fun camping.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Giorgio Gregori on September 21, 2010 at 4:00 PM

Hi Ron,
detail is excellent. Very nice brown tones.
Really beautiful the attention in the eye of the bird.
Giorgio

Registered on November 16, 2007, 87 Posts, 793 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on September 22, 2010 at 1:09 AM

Nice one Ron - the detail in the breast feathers in the larger version is exquisite

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on September 22, 2010 at 1:01 PM

Really nice detail and eye contact here Ron

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on September 23, 2010 at 10:23 AM

Excellent capture Ron.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on September 23, 2010 at 6:57 PM

Ron,

This was an amazing bird, how it was so unconcerned about our presence and just continued looking for grasshoppers in the road.

Love the angle of the post, the direct look at the eye, gorgeous background, fine details, sharpness and the great view of this juvenile. Head angle shows the sharp bill perfectly. Excellent image.

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