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Return of the C. Hawk
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Return of the C. Hawk

by John Tobias

Gallery: AvianPosted March 19, 2014143 views7 comments
Once again I looked out into our backyard and again there was a Coopers Hawk standing on the old bench, but this time it was feeding on what I took to be a robin. Again, I had to shoot through a window. The hawk remained until the bird was consumed, before flying away. Took lots of photos, but this was later in the afternoon and by the time I was finished the hawk was in the shade. There was no way I could avoid the human elements.

Canon T3i
1/500 @ F-5.6 ISO 800
Sigma 120-400 @ 400mm
monopod

Comments

7 comments
Comment posted by John Neukirch on March 19, 2014 at 1:03 PM
He must fell safe and comfortable on your bench in your yard John, very cool. Good chance you'll have more opportunities to photograph him as long as the hunting stays decent in your area. :toast:
Registered on July 9, 2012, 207 Posts, 1476 Comments
Comment posted by Robert Bunch on March 19, 2014 at 1:29 PM
I like the pose, the look and the carnage. Looks to be a little soft in the large version. Still a nice shot though.
Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments
Comment posted by Rick Cloran on March 19, 2014 at 2:46 PM
A raptor being a raptor. Good story even if we can wish he was doing it elsewhere. The larger one still looks good for having been shot through a window. This one seems a touch softer than your first post which probably relates to the angle you had to shoot at. It might be worth trying another round of sharpening on him. The light was pretty flat. I think you have enough room here to brighten it up a bit on exposure without risking anything in the highlights.
Registered on April 6, 2004, 119 Posts, 1989 Comments
Comment posted by Jerry Austin on March 19, 2014 at 4:12 PM
He's really giving you the stink eye. I agree with the others about it being a touch soft, but great capture.
Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments
Comment posted by Nate Chappell on March 19, 2014 at 8:53 PM
Very cool to capture this action in your backyard John. Image looks good for taken through the window, nice pose on the hawk :toast:
Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments
Comment posted by Lucy VanSwearingen on March 20, 2014 at 12:36 AM
beautiful bird! But, lunch is rather graphic...but can't be helped with a rapter.....just won't eat birdseed! :toast:
Registered on May 23, 2009, 800 Posts, 2042 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on March 20, 2014 at 12:49 PM
Looks like yo need to paint the house/garage with some kind of nice oof camo pattern, John. :wink: Give yourself a good bg for this cooperative Cooper's Hawk. Great pose in this one.

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