Red Shouldered Hawk on a Branch

http://abcflorida.org/photos/WRK_7133.jpg

This shot yesterday is an example of how the Red Shouldered Hawks sit in the trees around here. I tried to approach this one from several sides and still had tree branches in the way. I do call them into the area with a hawk call.

D300s
300mm f/2.8 AF-S I with 2X TC-E
f/5.6 1/350s Matrix Metering ISO 200
Raw for capture, some sharpening and contrast control in Photoshop
No flash
1/7/10, a clear day, afternoon, cold (50 degrees)
Gitzo Studex Performex tripod with Manfroto 3421 gimbal

Critiques welcomed

I like the light and eye contact, the branches in the foreground are distracting, though, and would put the bird further to the right in the frame. I'm not too familiar with red-shouldered hawks but this bird looks like a juvenile Cooper's to me. Maybe someone else can chime in.

Thanks for the feedback, Axel. I couldn't agree more about the distracting foreground branches. As soon as I can get a better shot of this and other resident hawks, I'll post them!

I to agree about the branches, and I find the subject small in the frame. I agree it looks like a Cooper's Hawk, but the red eye would suggest an adult.

Hey, 50 degrees ain't THAT cold!!:D

I've been looking around for references on the difference between the Cooper and the Red-Shouldered variety. Can anyone tell me some differences between the two?

I don't believe I've ever seen the Copper's Hawk in the wild, Bill. The red eyes may best differentiate the species from the Red-shouldered Hawk. I strongly encourage you to acquire Sibley's "guide to" and "behavior of" birds. I wouldn't consider observing birds as you do, but highly recommend you keep a very detailed account of your experiences when doing so. As in this case, it appears very interesting where you thought you had attracted the RSH when you observed the CH.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bill Ragan

I've been looking around for references on the difference between the Cooper and the Red-Shouldered variety. Can anyone tell me some differences between the two?

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The red eye is a dead giveaway that this isn't a Red-shouldered Hawk. The grayish cap on the head, the long round-tipped tail, and overall barring pattern. and long thin body suggests Cooper's. The Sharp-shinned is almost identical save for size (smaller) and a more squarish-tipped tail (though this is not always a distinguishing factor).

Thanks for all of the feedback. After several consultations, it seemed as if I should have titled this photo "Accipiter on a Branch."