Swainson's Hawk

Gallery: AvianPosted October 4, 2012757 views18 comments

This bird was hunting from power poles in remote Box Elder county in northern Utah. We returned to the area this week but all the swainson's have apparently left on their epic journey south. I'll miss them.

7D, 1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f/4, shot from pickup window on 4/10/12, cropped to 60% of original image, sharpened bird, no additional processing or adjustments, not baited, set up or called in

Note: In a threshold layer there's a diagoal band across the frame in front of the bird. I'm not sure what it is - perhaps a contrail or even a wire but it's not from processing.

Larger version provided

Comments/critique appreciated

Comments

18 comments

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on October 4, 2012 at 7:27 PM

Beautiful bird and beautifully presented. It is all excellent but that face seems more expressive than usual.

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on October 5, 2012 at 1:55 AM

Wonderful flight shot Ron, I like that the head and eye are in the bright light to draw you into the image, well done.

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

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on October 5, 2012 at 4:07 AM

Excellent shot Ron ! Cheers, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on October 5, 2012 at 8:13 AM

Beautiful BIF Ron-the eye shows such intensity.

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on October 5, 2012 at 9:35 AM

I can't find any nits Ron, and it's not from the lack of trying

Your art just keeps getting better & better, hat's off to ya

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

Comment posted by Jim Nall on October 5, 2012 at 10:11 AM

Ron, it's been awhile and I'm back. Good to see you are still very active.

IMO, this image is excellent. One could not ask for a more pleasing background with that natural looking sky. The bird is placed nicely in the frame. The bird itself looks sharp and detailed. I have trouble seeing that diagonal band you mention, maybe I need a new prescription for glasses?

Again, quite pleasing and I'd be proud if this were mine.

Registered on October 5, 2012, 45 Posts, 168 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on October 5, 2012 at 10:24 AM

"I have trouble seeing that diagonal band you mention, maybe I need a new prescription for glasses?"

Thanks Jim. No, I don't think you need new glasses. That line is pretty much invisible unless you run a threshold layer on the image in Photoshop.

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on October 5, 2012 at 11:46 AM

Excellent in every way. I'd be thrilled to have taken this

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

Comment posted by Barb Pflaum on October 5, 2012 at 11:50 AM

Excellent comp, colors and detail. Very nicely done!

Registered on January 14, 2009, 316 Posts, 2724 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on October 5, 2012 at 1:25 PM

A stunningly good shot, Ron. The best Swainson's flight shot I remember seeing around here in a long while. No nits from me.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on October 5, 2012 at 9:54 PM

Beautiful, Ron. Perfect exposure and detail.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on October 7, 2012 at 10:30 AM

Excellent detail in this flight shot and nice lighting on the face Ron

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

Comment posted by Toya Heatley on October 7, 2012 at 8:55 PM

Great capture, beautiful bird, good colour and composition.

Registered on June 13, 2012, 36 Posts, 98 Comments

Comment posted by Verdon on October 7, 2012 at 8:59 PM

stunning, nicely crafted picture, from detail, pose to overall quality

Registered on June 10, 2011, 147 Posts, 1444 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on October 8, 2012 at 2:00 PM

Beautiful flight shot Ron.
May

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on October 9, 2012 at 3:28 AM

Nice one Ron - nice detail in the underwing

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

Comment posted by Angela McCain on October 11, 2012 at 3:09 AM

Lovely detail on this Swainson's hawk. Great eye light and sharpness. I would like to specifically point out that you do NOT have a halo.

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on October 11, 2012 at 4:06 PM

Great birds Swainson's. Nice overall look at this bird Ron.

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