Battling Caracaras with repost

Gallery: AvianPosted March 17, 2011244 views22 comments

Martin Refuge. South Texas. 3/12/2011

D3. ISO 400. 70-200/2.8 with 2x tc @400mm. f8 1/1600s -0.3ev. Baited area.
Gitzo with Wimberly head. Cropped to about 70% Left side only. Wish for just a few more pixels on the top. and just a bit more shutter speed.

They were only arguing over the perch, but they were really serious about it. I like the talons imbedded in the right caracara's chest.

Comments

22 comments

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on March 17, 2011 at 12:25 AM

Another excellent shot of these magnificent birds Angela, the larger version is superb :^)

The only slight nit I have is in thinking it's a bit of a shame you didn't have time to pull in a little on your zoom, which would probably have allowed more distance between the tips of both subject's outstretched wings and the edges of the frame. Still, if this was mine I'd be feeling flush with pride ;^)

Kind regards,

Ashley

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Holguin on March 17, 2011 at 12:50 AM

Wow!!! Excellent pic. Great timing, and both birds are well focused. Well composed and exposed great. Well done.

Registered on January 25, 2011, 44 Posts, 294 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on March 17, 2011 at 1:30 AM

Great drama Angela, congratulations on this excellent capture!

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on March 17, 2011 at 3:35 AM

Super action well captured.

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

Comment posted by Randy Bacon on March 17, 2011 at 8:05 AM

WOW - I love this shot - great action well captured. Yeah the wing tip is a little close on the top, but with the smooth blue BG it would be easy to add a little canvas and create some breathing room. I'd love to have this one in my files just the way it is - looks like your trip was productive - can't wait to see more.

Registered on November 24, 2008, 56 Posts, 492 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on March 17, 2011 at 9:15 AM

Very cool and great timing. Nice and sharp on both birds. I agree about adding a bit of canvas to the top. Great job

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Luca Mussato on March 17, 2011 at 4:21 PM

Angela you got it. You have already pointed out both the positive and the "negative" points. the talon hanged to the chest and the lack of room at the top, but easily fixed.

It could be my monitor, but it seems to me that there is a lost of details in the high lights.
Luca

Registered on November 14, 2006, 118 Posts, 855 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on March 17, 2011 at 5:00 PM

Great interaction Angela. The tree seems to be holding out its branches for the winner.
May

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

Comment posted by Dan Harbour on March 17, 2011 at 7:24 PM

Great capture of the action, and nice views of the talons and the right bird's eye and bill. Really nice image, Angela.

Registered on January 4, 2008, 113 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on March 17, 2011 at 7:54 PM

Really great action here Angela. Those buried talons are a wonderful catch for you. The motion blur doesn't bother me but those pixels that you wished for up top would be nice and it should be easy to "get" them if you have a mind to do so.

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

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on March 17, 2011 at 8:17 PM

What great action! Add some to the top to put this over the top! Well caught! Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on March 17, 2011 at 8:28 PM

That one in the chest has got to hurt. Like the line and form here, Angela. As Ron mentioned it wouldn't take much at all to add to the top of the image. It's certainly worth doing for this.

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

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on March 17, 2011 at 9:40 PM

Terrific shot. I don't mind the tiny bit of blur in the one bird's wing tip at all. I've seen others post images here where they added a bit of canvas in photoshop and colored it in. You might try that on the top...assuming that you have photoshop.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on March 18, 2011 at 4:50 AM

Awesome Action Angela

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Vijay Raj on March 18, 2011 at 10:01 AM

Like the interaction here, looks like a bout of kickboxing, I think the image could have a little boost in saturation.

Registered on November 22, 2010, 29 Posts, 100 Comments

Comment posted by Dottie Short on March 18, 2011 at 3:58 PM

Hmmm! What an action shot! Where have I seen this before? Very nice! Your shooting buddy!

Registered on April 12, 2010, 61 Posts, 375 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on March 18, 2011 at 5:12 PM

Awesome action Angela. Not much to add to what others have stated. I too would add some canvas up top. Very much worth the effort.

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

Comment posted by Carl Battreall on March 18, 2011 at 5:32 PM

Impressive timing, a great image.

Registered on August 29, 2007, 24 Posts, 222 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on March 18, 2011 at 6:08 PM

Wonderful timing to get the action. Good detail on the larger version, way to go, a very fine image.

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on March 18, 2011 at 6:37 PM

Excellent catch! Love the positions of the raptors and that claw in the chest.
I agree a bit more room at the top would be good - easily added.

Sandy

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

Comment posted by Andrius Pašukonis on March 19, 2011 at 6:16 AM

Excellent! I just love that chest grab. Very powerful!

Registered on July 23, 2005, 111 Posts, 408 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on March 19, 2011 at 9:04 PM

Extra space added at the top. Thank you all for your comments.

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