Swainson's Hawk

Gallery: AvianPosted April 7, 2011154 views7 comments

The Swainson's Hawks are migrating through the Houston area right now, I captured this image on property managed by the Katy Prairie Conservancy as he (?) was cruising along looking for a tasty morsel.

1DMK4, 600MM + 1.4 TC, 1/1250 @ F5.6, ISO 400
Pretty heavy crop - 25% of FF, but detail seems to hold up pretty well.

Comments and critiques welcomed.

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on April 7, 2011 at 10:37 PM

Randy,
The heavy crop is holding up fine. Nice exposure on the whites, and a catchlight in the eye. I might trry lightening the sky just a touch and also try to use highlights and shadows to get more detail and light under the wings. Great capture. Don't you hate to see them leave?

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

Comment posted by Fabio Giarrizzo on April 8, 2011 at 11:13 AM

Great flight shot- Nice pose and fine detail- With such a strong light you've done an excellent exposure job- Well done, Fabio

Registered on December 3, 2010, 90 Posts, 1614 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on April 9, 2011 at 12:08 AM

Nice shot! They sure are impressive when migrating through!

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on April 9, 2011 at 7:45 AM

Nice eye contact and catchlight Randy

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on April 9, 2011 at 10:51 AM

Nice flight shot, Randy. Nice lighting and I like the wing position that you have captured.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Gilham on April 9, 2011 at 12:35 PM

Great shot Randy. I like the wing position, catchlight and the great look at the underside of the wings. Detail is very good for such a large crop, Well done.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 77 Posts, 489 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on April 9, 2011 at 6:47 PM

Great wing pose, and you handled the shadows nicely, Randy. That's some resolution to hold up that well.

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