Red Shoulder Hawk

[Robert Strickland]

I went to Paynes Prarie and found this guy at the end of the boardwalk off from 441. He allow me to get close enough for this shot.
Canon EOs 40D with EF 500mm f4l IS USM+1.4 Afternoon 2:12, 1/400, f7.1, ISO 125, This Phot made the Cover of Bird watching Magazine for Oct 2009

[Randy Stout]

Robert:

Very handsome individual, with good pose,colors, BG.

Although mid afternoon, the light was fairly soft. If you haven't already done so, I could see a version with the shadows on his right side lightened just a bit by dodging.


I do wish there was a bit more DOF for the beak. If time allowed, you certainly could have pushed up your ISO a bit to get more aperture flexibility for increased DOF.

Cheers

Randy

[arash_hazeghi]

very nice portrait I'd brighten the right eye and perhaps add a catchlight

[Robert Holguin]

Very nice shot. Wonderful background, great pose and detail.
Well done.

[Art Kornienko]

I would lighten right side too, but nice portrait shot.