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Red-tailed Hawk
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Red-tailed Hawk

by Richard Ditch

Gallery: AvianPosted January 15, 2017146 views7 comments
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

Bosque del Apache, New Mexico
December 1, 2016, 11:08 am
Nikon D7200, Nikkor AF-S 300/4, from car window
ISO 800, 1/1250th second at f/7.1, Aperture priority spot metered
Raw, PS CC, 50% of frame
 
Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated.
 

Comments

7 comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on January 15, 2017 at 10:04 PM
Excellent detail in the hawk and a nice clear view of the eye, Richard.  I like the branchy habitat.  Looks like a tough one to settle on a crop.  My personal taste would dictate a trifle more off the right and top, but that's definitely just taste.  Nice work.

devil
Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments
Comment posted by Barbara Graham on January 15, 2017 at 10:08 PM
Beautifully delicate leaves and twigs, beautifully detailed hawk.  Wonderful exposure/light.
Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Hansen on January 15, 2017 at 10:17 PM
Richard, this is exactly the way I see most of them - half hidden by branches in a tree.  Great detail and nice composition.  This one has a lot more bright feathers on the head and body than I typically see here in N. Calif.
Registered on May 5, 2011, 161 Posts, 908 Comments
Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on January 16, 2017 at 5:13 AM
Love the hawk peeking out from the branches that usually surround and often occlude these guys.
Your usual tack-sharp detail, great colours, and (imo) perfect placement in the frame.
Sandy
Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Archer on January 16, 2017 at 6:47 AM
Glad I decided to look at the larger view of this image, it's a must see.

The red-tail is a very important part of the composition, but those leaves on the almost bare branches put this one over the top for me.

Sweet One Richard!
Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments
Comment posted by David Schoen on January 16, 2017 at 7:46 PM
Yeah I have to agree with Jim Hansen that this is the way I see most hawks up close.  Sure is nice when they stay out in the open but I like this from the standpoint of reality.  I might crop a little bit more off the right side.  Otherwise a real nice image.
Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments
Comment posted by Steve Thompson on January 17, 2017 at 12:50 PM
Hey Richard, even with all the leaves and branches you still got a clean shot of the hawk that shows great detail. Kudos!
Registered on August 7, 2014, 125 Posts, 2319 Comments