Northern Hawk Owl

[Jody Melanson]

http://jmelanson.smugmug.com/photos/478524423_ML38A-O-1.jpg

Model = Canon EOS-1D Mark II N
Exposure Time = 1/2000"
F Number = F8
Exposure Program = Manual
ISO Speed Ratings = 400
Metering Mode = Spot
Flash = Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal Length = 400mm
Exposure Mode = Manual exposure
Handheld using Bushhawk

[joel quenneville]

I love the pose, perch and the way the light hits his eye. Your feather detail is good as is your head angle. The talons are visually pleasing. I don't mind your cutting the tail but I think that if you cropped using and 8x10 crop ratio (which would cut off a significant portion of the tail), your overall composition would be improved and the viewer would focus even more on that beautiful eye. There is a small dust spot by the left of the tail about half way down.

[Art Kornienko]

Quite nice Jody, perch is very nice, I like the dark bg and lighting, a bit more of the tail might have been nice and I see some type of dark area in the bg just to the right of the hawk's claws (almost looks rectangular) which distracts a bit but both those things are minor.

[James Shadle]

Jody,
Beautiful subject.
The image is exposed well. It's tack sharp with an interesting pose.
I like the background and personally did not see anything that would distract me.
IMO more room at the bottom, extending past the tail would make this an even stronger image.

[Robert Amoruso]

Agree with James on this one Jody.

[John Cooper]

Love the directional light here Jody and that yellow eye that gives the image impact. Detail, exposure and BG spot on..!!

[David Hemmings]

Stunning light and details Jody, nits about the tail is neither here nor there to me. I dont see anything distracting in the bg. Beautiful portrait.

[bobby]

Handsome little devil isn't he? Love the pose and find it perfect. Nothing about the tail is distracting to me.