Sparrowhawk

[Jonathan Ashton]

Canon 1DX, Canon 500mmf4, & 1.4TC 111, ISO 1600, 1/400 sec, f5.6
I noticed what I guessed was a sparrowhawk chase something toward the corner of the garden. I ignored it then a few minutes later I noticed there were no birds on the feeder. Sure enough the sparrowhawk had made a kill, I think it was a female blackbird. I went for my camera, I took a few hand held shots then I got the tripod. The bird could not have found a more difficult location if it tried. The door frame was one side and rose bushes the other and I had to take the image at an angle through double glazing. Still beggars can't be choosers!

[Randy Stout]

Jon:
technical challenges and their effects on the image aside, it is a striking image for the exploded prey bird.

I might see if I could further tone down some of the patterning in the image with a tiny bit of blur on the bg/fg, and a bit more contrast on the sparrow hawk's chest and face.

Cheers

Randy

[Satish Ranadive]

Excellent image of beautiful raptor juvenile in habitat.
Does it have gular strip ( either distinct or indistinct)? if it there, this is Japanese Sparrowhawk juvenile.
I do not know if they migrate in your area.
Love the frame., Jonathan.

Regards,
Satish.

[William Dickson]

Hi Jonathan, nice capture, yes they do tend to make it difficult to get a decent shot :S3: I found that aswell. I like the POV and the HA. I think the image would be a lot better if you could clean up the BG.

[Karl Egressy]

Excellent action shot, Jon.

[John Robinson]

Missed this earlier Jon. I don't mind the backdrop but the bird does look a little soft on my gear. Feeder have certanly help to save the Sparrow hawk.

Cheers
JohnR

[keith mitchell]

Jonathan a couple of passes of usm so not to spoil what looks like very nice feather detail, done well to keep the bird looking relaxed, great catch under difficult conditions.


Cheers Keith.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Thanks for the comments everyone, Satish I reckon this sparrowhawk is as English can be!

[Ivan Ellison]

Difficult through glass but have made the most of this chance. Nice detail in the bird, the bg looks a little strange but my technical skills are lacking in how you could improve it, I am sure many others will assist if you wanted to smooth it out.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Thanks again everyone, I appreciate the background isn't good but I don't think the bird is good enough either, it was just an opportunistic shot taken through the windows in the back of the house. I submitted the shot just to show how things may or may not be noticed in the back garden.