Friendly Red-tailed Hawk.

This is the same tame individual that I posted a couple of weeks ago. Quite thrill to be able to approach so close to a wild and free raptor!! This young individual was perched on an ugly chainlink fence so I opted to frame it close with the fence out of the frame. At least it was perched at eye-level, and in front of what may be perceived as a beautiful background (it is in actuality the incline of the ditch by the road, which is just out of the frame above the hawk).

Canon 7D + 100-400L @400mm, manual exposure, evaluative metering, 1/2000s., f/7.1, ISO 400, natural light, handheld, just about FF.

Beautiful portrait, Daniel!

Excellent exposure and detail and great head/body angle and comp!

Daniel,

The sharpness and details of the feathers and the eye make this image riveting...it's really excellent.

Wendy

Lovley. I like the comp, and the texture in the feathers is just great. Real sense of layers in the feathers. Perfect exposure.

Excellent exposure and great detail loved the eye and catch-light...

Stunning portrait!
Love the big chest(must have been chilly) and bloody bill says there's plenty of food by the roadside.

Just about full frame!!!!!!!

THis one brought an instant smile to my face with that puffed up chest. Love the clarity of the image and the remnants of his meal on the beak. Sure is a cooperative subject.

Hi Daniel,
I really like the layered feathers and the terrific IQ of the image. Always a plus to have a bit of blood on the beak! The eye is so sharp and clear. My only bugaboo with this image is the composition. I think it is just a matter of personal taste but I find him awkward in the frame- I think it is because of the puffed out chest that creates the feeling that the RHS is too tight or that the bird's head is too small for his body.
Gail

Very Nice portrait.
You always get the best from any opportunity.
Very nice feather detail.

Daniel:

Lovely techs, esp. the exposure and sharpness.

I do agree with Gail about the framing, a smidge tight on the right for me.

This is really neat that you could work him so close!

Cheers

Randy

Excellent portrait!!! Love the light, excellent detail, and well composed.
Well done.

So pretty Daniel. Great detail and light.