Coopers Hawk with kill

[Terry Olmsted]

I caught this guy in the act of feasting on one of the California Quail in our yard

[Sue Palmer]

Marvelous shot of nature at work. Vertical orientation works well here.
My only (and very minor) nit, if you have more space, I'd like to see just a bit more room around him.
Sue

[Terry Olmsted]

Thanks very much, Sue. I agree - I think I kept the crop a little too tight also.
Terry

[Arthur Morris]

Sharp, wish I had been there, excellent composition with the head turn. You can make these 800 pixels tall; this one deserves to be larger! I also like that you are looking down on the bird; you can see the quail and the raptor's feet. And congrats: it is not oversaturated or over-sharpened!

Later and love, artie

ps: Linda Robbins says that she loves the leaves too.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Great job, I only wish it was posted larger! Looks like it was a damp day...

[Terry Olmsted]

Thanks for the comment on size - I have revised the image size, thanks - I'll figure this file stuff out soon.
Terry

[Stephen Stephen]

Terry I didn't see the original image but the resized version seems to have some artifacts particularly on the bird. Did you start with the original file or just re-seize the one you posted?

[Terry Olmsted]

Thanks Stephen - I started again with the original file. I don't see the artifacts on my screen.
Terry

[Daniel Cadieux]

I don't know what happened, but I revisited your image here and it did not look this noisy before you resized it - just to let you know!

[Terry Olmsted]

Thanks again, Daniel. This was taken on a dark day at ISO 1600 1/200s XTi 400mm 5.6L hand held. I am fairly new to the sizing issues. I revised the post - the noise is a bit lower, however, given the lighting some noise is expected.
Terry

[Arthur Morris]

Noise or not, this is a wonderful image...

Later and love, artie

[Terry Olmsted]

Thanks very much, Art - coming from you I consider that a real compliment!
Terry