Red-Tail w/prey Repost

Gallery: AvianPosted April 21, 2011218 views17 comments

CAUTION- If you prefer Not viewing images with blood, please move to the next posting.

Yesterday was one of those great days at the wildlife refuge that us birders pray for. Two Great Horned Owlets awake and posing, a Great Blue Heron eating a 4ft snake and this Red-tailed Hawk having a duck lunch... on a tree at eye level and only 30ft away.

This image cropped about 33% off the bottom to eliminate the hanging ducks head and parts. I am a bit torn between my preferences to show realistic images and the remaining bloody parts that I know others would not care to see. I would love your feedback on thoughts on how much realism, if any, is acceptable in subjects consuming prey images like this. I realize that most woman might not give their approval on purchasing this print to hang in the formal dining room, BUT. . . does a little bit of red take it off the market for all perspective clients?

Larger version available, thank you for your comments.

canon 7D
canon 600mm f4.L IS USM
F/10 1/30 ISO 100
auto window beanbag rest

Comments

17 comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on April 21, 2011 at 12:00 PM

Personally, I am not put off by showing the whole prey—it is an education to see what the raptor considers as prey and food. However, I think you made the right choice photographically. It is more a matter of balance than a finicky tummy. The hawk is the dominant subject and not it's prey. Had you shown the whole body, then it would have equal coverage with the hawk.

I have no idea about its marketability.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on April 21, 2011 at 12:53 PM

Exceptional image, Craig!
Great perspective from eye-level, fine detail, prey, and decent BG. If possible, darkening ther lighter BG areas a bit would improve this even further.
A trial of Viveza would do it.

I'd also like to see the whole duck - that's part of nature, sad as it is. Don't know how the balance would be til we see it!
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on April 21, 2011 at 12:59 PM

Phil said it as well as it needs be said. Documentary photography, I think, is wonderful and the whole story would, for me. be interesting. However some will feel differently of course. I'd hope we don't narrow our presentations of interesting photos to satisfy only the more, shall I say "artistic" among us.

You photo as presented is, I'd guess, as good as it could be. I love it! Another fuller view would be interesting too.

Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on April 21, 2011 at 1:56 PM

I'd show it all Craig. I don't think the majoirity of bird photographers are squeamish as we all get exposed to scenes like this out in the field. For my tastes showing the bird with the whole prey would add impact to your photo. As for hanging this print in my home with all the prey, I'd do it. Maybe not in the dining room :-)

Great look on the hawk's face, almost as if it is daring something (or someone) to mess with its meal. Nice look at the eye, pose and background too!

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on April 21, 2011 at 2:04 PM

I'd show it all as well. My immediate question when opening this was the identity of the bird being eaten.

Its a strong image as posted but I'd really like to see the rest of what you captured.

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

Comment posted by Craig Strand on April 21, 2011 at 2:21 PM

Thanks to everyone for your constructive comments and opinions. Here is the original image and I must say after looking it over again I can see why I made the cropping adjustment that I did. I tend to lean toward and agree with those that feel an image showing the whole picture is usually preferred. But I think a butcher would have difficulty with all of the prey being included. IMHO, it is not pretty (not that it has to be,) but it grabs your eye and hangs on, preventing taking in how beautiful and striking the RT is. Thanks again for YOUR opinions!

Registered on March 30, 2008, 416 Posts, 2885 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on April 21, 2011 at 2:57 PM

Yep. You were right with the first post. Nothing wrong with piquing our curiosty, and allowing us to wonder what kind of bird it was. Art is supposed to evoke thought. Showing this entire scene doesn't imo, do anything for the composition. The little bit you showed and the small part of the branch was enough to support the image of the hawk, which btw, is a dynamite image.

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

Comment posted by Richard Olsen on April 21, 2011 at 3:05 PM

Although, the full version is interesting, I like the original best as it places the hawk as the dominant feature in the frame.
This is definately a keeper photograph. Excellent detail in the hawk with nice catchlight in the eye.
I'd love to have this photo as well as the experience!!

Registered on October 19, 2006, 306 Posts, 1571 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on April 21, 2011 at 4:51 PM

I prefer the repost Craig, for me it shows the real story behind this image.

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on April 21, 2011 at 7:25 PM

Thanks for posting the uncropped version - I prefer it to the cropped version.

I think if your intent was to show "how beautiful and striking the RT is" then you would have avoided shooting this at all. Your in-camera composition shows that at the time you took it you were interested in the hawk, the pray, and the activity.

There are abundant shots of beautiful and striking red-tails, but not so many shots that show one feeding as well as the full frame image does.

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on April 21, 2011 at 7:54 PM

Neat RTH and opportunity Craig. I prefer your repost. I have no issues with "red" at all and to me your original post has been cut off - just like it would be if the wing or tail of the bird had been clipped since the prey is an integral part of the image. And I think the protective and challenging glare of the hawk works best if we can see all that it's protecting.

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

Comment posted by S Govindarajan on April 21, 2011 at 9:13 PM

I like both versions, Craig. While your repost tells the whole story, the original image gives a great look at the hawk. You captured a great pose with a nice headturn. The blowing feathers adds a lot to this image. The perch in the second version also has a lot of character.

Registered on April 19, 2008, 115 Posts, 1921 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Canuel on April 21, 2011 at 11:00 PM

Interesting to read the comments about the prey. I prefer your OP on this one. The visible feather tells us his prey is a bird. The full version really just shows too much of the mess of what happens when animals eat other animals. The OP tells us just enough to know that he's hunted successfully. I like the hawk's lowered head, forward looking pose.

Registered on September 12, 2010, 53 Posts, 660 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Huff on April 22, 2011 at 12:19 AM

Awesome image Craig. Great detail amd exposure. Sounds like it was a great day, with a lot of fantastic things to shoot. Which wildlife refuge were you at?

Ron Huff

Registered on August 31, 2010, 69 Posts, 440 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on April 22, 2011 at 3:22 PM

I like both posts each for a different reason, the first post really shows good close up detail on the hawk and the second really shows habitat and feeding so both work for me, nice job in getting this, way to go.

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

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on April 22, 2011 at 8:19 PM

That is great. Thos feathers blowing back are so cool as is that amazing glare. I like the moss on the perch too.

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

Comment posted by Angela McCain on April 26, 2011 at 9:50 PM

Great image. Love the look in the eye. Being very protective about his meal. Excellent detail and sharpness.

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