Swainson's Hawk juvenile

Gallery: AvianPosted November 10, 2010615 views19 comments

Buteo swainsoni

This image was taken near but not on the Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in Montana, it is from the same trip that I took my recently posted Short-eared Owl in the fog image.

This was a very cooperative young Hawk, it was along side the road perched on fenceposts getting grasshoppers and eating them. We sure had a good time with this hawk.

D200, lens resting on vehicle window, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 250, 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, 0.0 EV comp, natural light, 78% of original image. Not baited and not a set up.

As always, I sincerely appreciate your comments and critiques. Thank you for looking.

Comments

19 comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on November 10, 2010 at 8:00 PM

All I can think is, magnificent. You've captured the hawk's pride, Mia.
Exposure couldn't be better and the subject and perch are highlighted by that smoothly toned background.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on November 10, 2010 at 9:30 PM

The breast plumage pattern is just stunning here. It is what strikes me most about this fabulous image Mia. There is nothing that could be improved apon here. I don't believe in achieving perfection because then there is nothing left to strive for, but this is darn close. That is about all I can say.

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

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on November 10, 2010 at 9:47 PM

beautiful, Mia. great looking bird, and the colors in the bg are spectacular. love the plumage detail in the larger version.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Jay Martin on November 10, 2010 at 10:26 PM

Great shot! Love the wind blown feathers and the BG colors

Registered on December 6, 2005, 200 Posts, 2209 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on November 10, 2010 at 10:39 PM

Another fine shot.. you have quite the collection of gorgeous raptors on posts

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

Comment posted by Richard Teller on November 10, 2010 at 10:43 PM

Another very fine image. No nits from me.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on November 10, 2010 at 10:51 PM

An incredible image of this near perfect bird. Everything about it speaks to your artful skills.

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

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on November 10, 2010 at 11:40 PM

Another beauty Mia.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Karen Summers on November 11, 2010 at 9:12 AM

Cracking shot with a great background and detail

Registered on December 3, 2009, 83 Posts, 818 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on November 11, 2010 at 9:41 AM

Excellent! Another beauty! Looks like you ruffled his/her feathers a little bit.

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Danny Laredo on November 11, 2010 at 9:46 AM

This is great Mia, only thing I may crop a touch off the top.
Other than that a fantastic image.

Registered on March 18, 2008, 71 Posts, 332 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on November 11, 2010 at 10:46 AM

Very nice DOF and details Mia. It's well composed, like that POV too.
I especially like the soft graduated colors of your BG

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on November 11, 2010 at 9:54 PM

I can imagine having a great time with a raptor that allows you to get close and then just carries on with its own activities. Lovely subtle tones Mia.

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on November 12, 2010 at 11:15 AM

Very nice, good detail and I like the over all pose of the hawk with a good angle to view a lot of the bird, way to go.

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

Comment posted by Steve Balke on November 12, 2010 at 11:43 AM

Spectacular image, Mia. I love the pose, colors, ruffled feathers, background......just everything!

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

Comment posted by Rohn B. McKee on November 12, 2010 at 5:38 PM

It amazes me how you and Ron, get so much detail in your subject's eyes. Excellent sharpening, The exposure is right on.

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on November 13, 2010 at 7:26 PM

Mia, I always open your shots becuase I know they will be stunning.
THis is no exception - great pose, excellent colors, nice perch and perfect BG and exposure.
Not the tiniest nit from me.
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on November 14, 2010 at 1:29 AM

Image quality is second to none, love the detail and natural colors. The band of blue sky at the top keeps it from being too monochromatic. I like the fence post as well, attractive and very representative.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on November 15, 2010 at 4:53 PM

Outstanding capture Mia.
May

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