Sparrow hawk

[John Robinson]

Sparrow hawk (Male)
This bird landed on a perch put up for something else, and ate a young bird. I waited and the customary after meal “fluff up “ came.
The strange colour of the back drop is a quarry face in the Worcestershire old red sandstone. There was some red reflection on the bird which I think I,ve sorted but then that’s how it was anyway.
Nikon D200
Crop from landscape

Sigma 50-500 mm at about 400mm
640 ISO 200sec @ f8

Cheers
JR
Sparrow hawk (Male)
This bird landed on a perch put up for something else, and ate a young bird. I waited and the customary after meal “fluff up “ came.
The strange colour of the back drop is a quarry face in the Worcestershire old red sandstone. There was some red reflection on the bird which I think I,ve sorted but then that’s how it was anyway.
Nikon D200
Crop from landscape

Sigma 50-500 mm at about 400mm
640 ISO 200sec @ f8

Cheers
JR

[arash_hazeghi]

this is a handsome raptor John, good details and exposure, perch is natural and I like the BG too. I might run selective NR on the BG only.

very nice work, TFS

[John Robinson]

Arash
Thank Ive been playing around a lot with noise reduction and I think I may have posted the one with out any !! Mind you- it is a biggish crop. I must say ,my cheap gear does cause a few noise problems at high ISO levels, but I have to live with it - or sell the wife !!!
Thanks
JR

[Marina Scarr]

This raptor is a real stunner, Johnny, and the image quite special. The color palate works well. Love the pose, perch, light and BG. It all came together very nicely, and you get to keep the wife too!!

[John Robinson]

Thanks
That at least means my colour problems are not that far out !!!
have a joyful yuletide !!
Cheers
JR

[Sanjeev Aurangabadkar]

This is excellent Johnny, I like the 'fluffed-up' feathers, the HA is perfect and the details are awesome. Well done.

[christopher galeski]

agre with other's,nice image,like the BG,good perch and pose,well done.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Love it Jojnny, the pose and ruffled feathers... and that eye - a fine shot.

[adrian dancy]

Superbly posed. Nice work here John.
Merry Christmas to you and the wife. I'm sure she is worth her weight in gold! :)

[Holger Leyrer]

Wow! Great colors, pose with fluffed feathers and wonderful perch.
Really great image.

[John Robinson]

Thanks all
Adrian-if she was worth her weight in gold I could get 10 new Nikons !!!
Cheers
JR

[David Salem]

Great shot Johnny. Like it all. Nice pose and head angle and I like the perch. The raised feathers look great as dose the detail and BG. All around a beauty!

[gary ellwein]

Well done with excellent head angle, feather detail, perch and bg.

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

Nice Johhny. Love the light and great detail on the bird. Interesting perch as well. Agree about the NR on the bg

[Jim Crosswell]

Excellent image John! I like the pose, perch, BG, sharpness and composition.

[Satish Ranadive]

Spectacular image of beautiful raptor on nice perch and beautiful BG.
Love the fluffy feathers and his grip on perch.

Regards,
Satish.

[Joe Murphy]

A cracking shot John, he looks great against the lovely BG.

[Danny Laredo]

Whats not to like about this??? wonderful all around image.