Red-tailed Hawk

[David Salem]

This is a juvenile male Red-tailed Hawk. He was hunting by a flooded area that had lots of Coots around it. Most large raptors in my area have black feathers stuck to their feet as they eat allot of Coots ;)

I like the pose even though the wing intersects the head. Do you?

This is my first post with my new Christmas present!

1DX---840mm---f6.3---ss1/3200---ISO640---HH from truck---30% crop

Thanks as always for looking and for your input. I appreciate it.

David

[Sidharth Kodikal]

That fantastic SoCal light that you guys are blessed with and your signature gorgeously blurred background
Excellent pose, exposure and sharp details.
I'm curious to see what a vertical or a landscape comp would look like instead of a square.
Slight sharpening halo over the far wing that's easy to evict.
Lovely work, Dave, and Santa got you a well deserved present.

[David Salem]

Thanks Sid, glad you like the pose and the blurred BG:) I tried both vertical and landscape comps but wound up liking the square one better for this pose. It looked more balanced with some room in front and some below.
I know some frown on square comps but I try do what I think looks best for the specific shot. Thanks Sid.

[christopher galeski]

very nice capture David,love the light nice flight pose,good BG,the bird sharp with good detail.

[arash_hazeghi]

excellent take off pose and tack sharp with sweet light and details. Did you get the frame before this one with wings fully stretched up?

I'm glad you are using the 1DX, a photographer with your talent deserves the best tool!

[David Salem]

Thanks everyone for the comments.

Arash, yes I did get the frame before and after with wings up except the one before had some shading on the wing and the one after he started looking away. Figures huh. Thanks for your comment, I appreciate it.

[Marina Scarr]

First of all, congratulations on your new toy! Your light and BG are killer here, David. I feel as though the crop you chose works best for this pose, and I have a feeling you tested several. While it may not be the most beautiful flight pose, this pose allows the viewer a good close up look at this gorgeous raptor.

[vishaljadhav]

David a amazing strong image, the light is superb and the wing position is classically captured
i love the IQ, i did not realise the square crop for some time as the bird got me locked down too much, really i dont feel the square crop hampers the image, its nice
Superb image over all

[Glenn Conlan]

I got a tack sharp capture from this series but the head angle on mine is not as good. This immature bird really stands out against the BG great shot Dave.

Glenn

[Shawn Zierman]

Razor sharp and love the colors! The composition is perfect. The background colors and tones are really something. You are blessed to live in such a place.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Awesome pose, background, light. Intense stare from this individual. I'm OK with the square crop...

Congrats for the new toy!

[Doug Brown]

Great light and fantastic sharpness. I don't mind the square crop but I do wish the head angle were slightly better.

[Bob Serling]

Another Dave Salem "standard" - beautiful shot with sweet light and a nicely muted background. The wing position works fine for me. Truth is, after awhile, all the ideal wing position shots begin to look the same to me. I prefer a shot like this that's a bit different and really emphasizes the forward motion of the flight.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Looks like you are making good use of that new toy to me a spectacular shot - well done. The head and eye are really just a bit special.

[dankearl]

I would have liked a better far wing, but still great, David.
Congrats ion the new toy!

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the details, sharpness, BG and composition. There is a little white spot above the "S" in your name you might want to clone out. Great image David!

[Loi Nguyen]

David, this is just about one of the best RTK take off pose that I have seen. You put mine ot shame :(. Love the sharpness and the BG. I'm Ok with the head and wing position. Congrats on the 1DX, you will love it! Did you also get the 600mm? TFS. Loi

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Thanks Sid, glad you like the pose and the blurred BG:) I tried both vertical and landscape comps but wound up liking the square one better for this pose. It looked more balanced with some room in front and some below.
I know some frown on square comps but I try do what I think looks best for the specific shot. Thanks Sid.

Nothing against square comps, Dave. It most certainly works as presented.
I downloaded your image and tried a horizontal. Although I liked it, I too concluded that square worked better.
Good call!

[David Salem]

Thanks again for the comments everyone!

Loi, yes I did. I Had a decent year and after trying your's and Arash's 1DX ,I decided to go for it and get both. Thanks

Sid, thanks for your help with the comp. Glad you like it.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi David, exquisite light, tack sharp, and love the intense stare ahead. I really like the colours in the BG too. Im not one for squarish crops, so I would love to see a version in traditional landscape format.

Not that your work needed a new camera, but big congrats on your new toy. Judging by this image, you are putting it to good use, and no doubt, plenty of quality images.

[Richard Flack]

Exceptional image... keeps me going back out there :)

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

The light and bg are so sweet here. I love the gleam in the eye as well David. Congrats on your new toy and many more great images to come!

[Frank Schauf]

Superb shot! Excellent pose, great background, and very nice details.

[David Salem]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate It.