Red tail hawk portrait

[Grace Scalzo]

This was a wonderful young red tail hawk that took up residence on our local beach two summers ago. The beach has a paved road that is heavily used by walkers and she became quite a celebrity with many of the people looking for her each night and reporting her whereabouts to me. This particular evening, she glided down the road, right over the heads of the walkers and grabbed a rabbit. At first, people were grossed out, but as they watched her dine and I spoke to them about how this was nature at work and that was the rabbit's purpose, their attitudes changed and we all watched in awe until she finished and flew to a nearby branch. Don't know why she left or what became of her.

Mk2n, 500mm
ISO400, f 5.6, 1/200

[Mark Young]

Lovely portrait shot. Nice details and colour in the head. I like the fact you can see the eye very clearly.

[Pieter de Waal]

Hi Grace fantastic image. Subtle light and sharpness that brings out the detail in the feathers and eye - what an eye. I like the composition with the foliage just adding that extra bit.

[Dumay de Boulle]

Very nice detail and exposure, sharp detail and eye...Nicely done Grace

[Stu Bowie]

Good alert pose Grace, and I like the detail. Good to see evidence of her meal, and I like the complimentary colours of the BG.

[DustinFinn]

Really like the pose and the colors onthis and as others commented, the background is really sweet too...

[Johan Kruger]

Very nice, very sharp, love the eye

[Bonnie Block]

This is a beauty, Grace. I love the pose with the thoughtful look. BG and foreground a big plus for me.