Raptor in the Grass, behaving tenderly [Archive] - BirdPhotographers.net

Jack Breakfast

03-03-2012, 07:27 PM

Greetings, captains of the alar! Well, I am sifting through forgotten year-old pictures from my beloved Nikon D90 and 180mm f2.8 lens. I was very lucky to encounter this particular r.t., and as you can see, the good beast was very close to me. Actually he (she?) was perched in a nearby tree for a short while then quickly leapt down to the ground...my settings were a tad wonky for this shot and the hawk was only before me for seconds. That said, it is a poor musician etc etc. if I had its right eye looking at me, this shot would obviously be far more effective, but I'm still quite fond of it. It is what it is! Would love to hear your thoughts...1/1000, f4, iso220...ah, well. I cropped a little off the top (there was an unpleasant brownish blur there, some kind of mudpile) but otherwise this image is as-shot...
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Sidharth Kodikal

03-03-2012, 07:53 PM

Howdy Jack, I love his intent look, the raised talon and the sharp details. What's he after?
Imho, the image would have been even more effective with the other eye either fully visible (but you already know that) or not visible at all.
On my monitor I see a green cast (particularly under the wing). Thanks for sharing.

Jack Breakfast

03-03-2012, 08:39 PM

Thanks much, Sidharth, you're right about everything including the green cast. Did not mean to do that...will fix that by and by. What's he after? He was eating some strange bugs or beetles from the ground...no jokes...

Dan Busby

03-03-2012, 09:00 PM

This one certainly seems intent on the object of the chase and not concerned with you Jack. I like the stare, raised foot and wing positions. I wonder if the eyes can be brightened a tad.

Cheryl Arena Molennor

03-03-2012, 09:11 PM

Great low angle and stare. I like look at those talons and agree with the eye lightening suggestion. I think it would make it pop even more.

Jack Breakfast

03-03-2012, 10:07 PM

Thanks folks, agreed on all counts...this was a preoccupied hawk, to be sure. Prior to this day I did not expect to see great things at my local park here in Toronto. On this day I learned about things like keeping extra memory cards and batteries...it turned everything around for me! But who cares? In the interest of natural history I'm posting the inset of another shot, which will disclose the hawk's prey. Please do excuse the poor quality, the shot is only a document. There were many of these around and the bird was grabbing them up and knocking them back! Any ideas? It seemed strange and wonderful and exciting to me, but I'm only an amateur naturalist...thanks again, fine people...
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Karl Egressy

03-04-2012, 12:42 PM

Great experience and fantastic shot, Jack.

Frank Schauf

03-04-2012, 12:54 PM

Really great pose and details.