Cooper's Hawk Mantling Over Prey

[Doug Brown]

I love the way that Cooper's Hawks attempt to conceal their prey by mantling over it. The mouthful of feathers does tip you off though! It's pretty amazing how close you can get to a feeding raptor with proper camouflage and a slow approach. Photographed during the fall raptor migration with Alan Murphy a couple of years ago.

Canon 1D Mark IV, 300 mm f/2.8, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO 400, manual exposure, hand held

[keith mitchell]

Doug they get there body over and say this is mine so keep away, great IQ and the few feathers just add some more interest, beautiful piece of work.

[John Robinson]

Nice one Doug- a perfect mantle so to speak. A lot like out Sparrow Hawk.
Good stuff
John

[John Rowell]

Very nice detail, a great capture. The feathers in its beak makes the story. Image IQ looks excellent to me and I really like the intensity of the eye and beak. Definitely protecting its prey against all comers.

[William Dickson]

Fantastic frame Doug. The details on the bird are beautiful. Perfect HA and pose, it all fits nicely on the BG. Good work

Will

[Joseph Przybyla]

Lovely image Doug, interesting behavior I have not seen. Thank you for sharing.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Great behavioural image Doug. Love the fanned tail and the beak full of feathers. Do you know what the prey was? Were you prone on the ground or in a vehicle to get so close?
Cheers

[Jonathan Ashton]

Wow that is a fine quality image such beautiful colours and detail. Love the pose - excellent!

[Doug Brown]

Great behavioural image Doug. Love the fanned tail and the beak full of feathers. Do you know what the prey was? Were you prone on the ground or in a vehicle to get so close?
Cheers

Thanks Ákos. The prey was a Northern Bobwhite. I was prone on the ground for this frame and was wearing heavy camouflage.

[Robert Kimbrell]

Excellent capture Doug. A good look he gave you . Great behavior, like the way he using the tail feathers also.

[Daniel Cadieux]

What an opportunity!! Great pose, and I like that you waited for a proper head angle too. Awesome bill full of feathers. You made the most of it, congrats!

[gail bisson]

This is a terrific shot.
Perfect head turn and I love the mouthful of feathers.
I like the hint of the prey seen under the wing and the out of place feathers on the wing.
Great POV as well.
TFS,
Gail

[Karl Egressy]

Excellent behavior shot, Doug.

[Marina Scarr]

Killer image and behavior captured here!!! The feathers in the beak are a huge plus.

[Doug Brown]

Thanks everyone for the feedback!