Southern Pale Chating Goshawk

[Morkel Erasmus]

Been going through some files from 2010 - this was taken in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park while waiting at a waterhole for some Lanner Falcons to arrive.
I wish there was a bit of a catchlight, but liked the light and wingspread.

Techs:
Canon 7D with 100-400mm L IS USM @ 400mm
f7.1 @ 1/2500 SS @ ISO-800

[Jonathan Ashton]

Beautiful shot excellent timing. You could try making a mask of the eyes and brightening them a little bit using Levels or alternatively Dodge tool.

[Dumay de Boulle]

Best avian image I have seen from you in a while. Exp looks great and the IQ is as good if not better than anything you have posted recently...Very nice image bud:cheers:

[Craig Kerr]

Must agree with you Morkel, that wing angle is fabulous... Exposure, detail and light quality is excellent too !!

[Vikram Agrawal]

One of the best i have seen here, beautiful pose with crisp detail. You did a brilliant job with modest gear.

[Neal Cooper]

Nice image Morkel. I like the underwing light and pose. Your image is sharp (Canon :bg3:) and good composition.

[Lorant Voros]

From the old Canon days, right? :-). Awesome image with this pose and all the underwing details. You see that the 7D works. Though I am sure you are happier with your Nikon :-).

I agree with Jon about lightening the eyes a bit. I also find that the bright rock under the foot is a bit distracting and I'd get rid of it.

Nice work, Morkel .

Lorant

[Chris Kotze]

superbly captured Morkel, great show of the underwing, detail, light and exposure

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Mork, great wingspread and overall nice and sharp. The Goshawk really pops from the BG so well. Well captured.

[Morkel Erasmus]

Thanks for the kind comments, folks.
I know that you can 'add' a catchlight that way...just not fond of doing things like that :bg3:
And yes - the 7D can deliver some good images if used properly!

[arash_hazeghi]

sweet shot Morkel, nice details and pose would consider brightening the eye a bit

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

MOrkel, great shot. good call going high on ISO on a bright day for the SS. I love sharp wing tips like you have here. perfect incoming angle and wing spread. Beautiful bird indeed.

[Frank Schauf]

Great pose and setting you have here.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Very nice one Morkel, some great advise above.