Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk

[Chris van Rooyen]

These raptors are the commonest medium-sized raptors in the Kgalagadi. They are striking birds and often perch in the open. I waited long for this take-off, but I know the wind and sun direction was perfect, and patience would pay off eventually.

Camera Model: NIKON D3
Date/Time: 2009:06:21 15:10:59
Shutter speed: 1/2500 sec
Aperture: 7.1
Exposure mode: Manual
Flash: Off
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 560
Lens: 600mm
Focal length: 600mm

[Ramon M. Casares]

IMO light angle was not THE best but still very nice, lovely scene, comp and detail, pose species, BG, and colors look very good to me too.
Congratulations!

[denise ippolito]

Chris, I love the take-off pose and the details are really nice-Well done.

[Morkel Erasmus]

super take-off pose and direction Chris! I like the way the BG is split between grass 1/3 and sky 2/3.

[Dan Brown]

Great shot of a great bird Chris! I see a bright yellowish OOF v-shaped weed near the birds tail that seems to draw my eye away from the bird, you could remove this if your ethics allow? Thanks for sharing another one of your great images with us!

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the take-off pose, sharpness and eye contact. I find the OOF vegetation in the lower right a bit distracting. On the underside of the bird's right wing is a pink spot.

[David Fletcher]

Excellent shot Chris. Take off pose and details very good, as is comp. Well done.

[Randy Stout]

Chris:

Nicely captured as usual. Your patience was rewarded.

If it were mine, besides being happy, I might consider burning in the vegetation in the LLC just a bit, so its brightness doesn't draw attention from the bird.

Cheers

Randy

[Harold Davis]

IMO light angle was not THE best

i dont see the same. what is it that you see? just curious.

chris, beautiful bird with lots of detail. i like it as presented.

[Amy Marques]

Gorgeous accipiter! I like that those delicate stripes on the body show up nicely. I would consider removing some of the blue and magenta color cast from the black flight feathers. Nice catch!

[Gal Shon]

I'm really enjoying this one.
Excellent take off shot.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Love how clean this bird is!
And the barring on the belly makes this one for me. Lovely light and stare.

[Stu Bowie]

Super timing for the take off Chris, and I feel your comp is just perfect. Sharp where it counts, and the grass looks fine to me.

[Simon Bennett]

Well captured dynamic moment.

[Kobus Tollig]

Great shot Chris well done. I would like some more space at the top and i see some sharpening halos. Well done here

[Mark Dumbleton]

All been said, just adding my well done and definately worth the long wait!

[Chris van Rooyen]

Thanks for the comments and suggestions guys!

[Krijn Trimbos]

The take of pose is perfect, with a beautiful HT and nice eye contact. The FG leaves something to be desired, good job with the exposure in the harsher light. Nice one!