Coopers Hawk

Gallery: AvianPosted November 7, 2011131 views9 comments

At least I'm rather sure it is a Coopers. Taken an hour or so ago on a rather dim, foggy, with some sunny spots about, day. I've brightened significantly and boosted contrast to compensate for that, plus sharpening. Processed in Olympus Studio 2 and Color Efex Pro. Though there was a pink glow I'm wondering what others think of the warmth of this image. It looks right to me as I think it was out there, but also think it might appear too warm.

E-5, 50-200mm with 1.4 TC
1/1600 sec., @ F5. +1 EV
ISO 500
tripod
cropped to approx 40% of FF

Large view.

I'd appreciate a hard honest critique.

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Alan Murphy on November 7, 2011 at 6:26 PM

Nice setting for this adult Coop. Wish he was looking back at you. It looks a bit to warm, but on the pink side.

Registered on December 3, 2003, 192 Posts, 739 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on November 7, 2011 at 6:40 PM

Yea, Alan I know what you mean about a nice setting. This is the first time I have ever had a shot of a Coopers without a limb or three cutting in front of the bird.

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on November 7, 2011 at 7:14 PM

Good job getting a clean look at the bird Charlie. Nice look back from the hawk. Not sure about the pink tones though

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

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on November 7, 2011 at 8:20 PM

Hi Charlie. I really like the pose and the composition, the way that you positioned the branch in the frame. Some very nice hits of color in the perch itself. The pink is a bit too pronounced for my tastes. The larger version seems to have smeared details, not sure if this is from the large crop, noise reduction, compression or some other factor.

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on November 7, 2011 at 9:54 PM

I'd neutralize the pink cast as well - it just doesn't fit the rest of the image.

The pose and angle are acceptable to me.

I agree with Gary about the smeared details, especially in the larger version. There's an over-processed look to this from the loss of detail and the edges of the branches that just doesn't work for me.

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

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on November 8, 2011 at 12:47 AM

I worked on this abit to reduce the pink cast. Let me know what you think.

Looking at it just now, I think it is not totally neutralized but better.

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on November 8, 2011 at 12:48 PM

Good head turn and detail Charlie, nice view of the birds backside too.
Those branches seem to frame the bird well, and I like the added interest of the lichen there.
Your repost is a good improvement..
Well done

PS - I'm still waiting for this guy to show up again

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

Comment posted by Angela McCain on November 8, 2011 at 10:12 PM

I like the view here, which gives an elongated look at the bird. Head turn is nice and I like the eye. Try out different filters to get the colors as you want rather than using saturation changes. I find it easier.

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on November 9, 2011 at 11:08 PM

The repost is a nice improvement Charlie, this is well composed and you got just enough of a head turn.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments