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Blackbird Chases Hawk
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Blackbird Chases Hawk

by Ray Whitt

Gallery: AvianPosted July 4, 2011137 views9 comments
A couple of juvenile Red-tailed Hawks were high in a tree screaming. Occasionally one would fly around and would often be chased by the local Red-winged Blackbirds. Nikon D300s with 300mm f2.8 and 1.4tc, ISO 400, f5.6, S-1/2500. Thanks, comments and critique appreciated. Ray

Comments

9 comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on July 4, 2011 at 10:02 PM
Really like this Ray. The little blackbird reminds me of our black chihuahua..She's the smallest of the three, but an Alpha dog all the way :wink:
Great details and well exposed, a novel image with good interest. The only thing I might suggest would be to add a bit of canvas bottom & RT side, to give the blackbird more space.
Well done! :toast:
Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments
Comment posted by Luke Ormand on July 4, 2011 at 10:54 PM
Always difficult to capture both birds like this but you have done a fine job of it.
Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments
Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on July 4, 2011 at 11:30 PM
It always amazes me how utterly fearless passerines are in defense of their nests, and how strongly raptors, in particular, react to the mobbing behavior. Well captured, Ray.
Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on July 4, 2011 at 11:46 PM
Beautiful light for this image, Ray. I love the translucent feel to the wings. Excellent detail and the RWBB is a nice addition.
:toast:
Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments
Comment posted by Ron Dudley on July 5, 2011 at 9:00 AM
Ray, this is a hard shot to get and I think you've done well with it. Good light under the hawk, love the apparent screaming reaction of the hawk to the BB and you even got the blackbird pretty well exposed - not easy to do given the contrast with the hawk. Neat behavior shot.
Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments
Comment posted by Nate Chappell on July 5, 2011 at 5:05 PM
Love the calling pose of the hawk and your comp is perfect imo Ray, great image. :toast:
Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments
Comment posted by David Sparks on July 6, 2011 at 8:19 PM
Terrific action shot with surprisingly good exposure and detail in both birds - surprising because of the difference in coloration of the two. I like the calling action of the hawk and the spread of the wings and tail. :toast:
Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments
Comment posted by Ray Whitt on July 6, 2011 at 10:57 PM
Thanks for the comments and critiques. I was lucky with the exposure because it was just slightly overcast so the Blackbird wasn't completely a silhouette. Ray
Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments
Comment posted by Angela McCain on July 7, 2011 at 11:29 PM
Very well done on a hard to get image.
Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments