Red-tailed Hawk

[David Salem]

As many of you may know, I like trying to get unique and dramatic take off and landing shots of different species. This is my favorite one from last year. This gorgeous adult male became very cooperative after a week of slowly getting closer and closer to him in my truck.
I spent many mornings with him sitting close by in my truck, drinking coffee, and listening to a soft rock radio station. Everything came together in this frame when he saw something and took off in the right direction, which usually doesn't happen.
I printed this in a 36''X24'' canvas for my office and I am ultra fortunate to have my art currently displayed in Bass Pro Shops supper store in California, with this being one of the pieces displayed. Hope you like it.

1DX---840mm---f7.1---ss1/2500---ISO640---HH@7:15am---25% crop

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

David

[David Salem]

Here is a crappy phone shot of yours truly next to one of the two sided displays they built for us. What an honor to have so many people looking at my work.

[Ross Taylor]

Hi David,

That is one killer shot David :) The bird and it's pose and composition are all very much to my liking. The background patterns of subtle colors is Super!

Hard to tell at this resolution, but is that a feather protruding left of the perch adjacent to the near foot? That object seems a little blurry at this resolution to me.

Thanks for sharing such a quality and creative shot, the story about how it came to be, and congrats on having it displayed at Bass Pro Shop (well deserved).

Ross

[Marina Scarr]

That sure is one heck of a shot, David, and I can only imagine how many hours you sat in that car waiting for the moment. Congrats on your display too! The take off pose on this raptor is just amazing!!! I'm not sure I've ever seen one in better light with such amazing angle and extension. FOrgot to mention the painterly BG!!!

[Jim Crosswell]

Great image David! I like the take off pose, IQ, BG and composition. Congratulations on your display at Bass Pro.

[Bill Dix]

Perfectly timed take-off shot, at just the right angle. And a fabulous BG. Well done!

[David Salem]

Thanks everyone for the comments. I appreciate it.

Ross, that's a Coot feather from his last feed that I left in there.

[Doug Brown]

Everything definitely came together on this frame; your dedication really paid off! Maximum wings up, perfect light and head angles, and super sharpness.

[Karl Egressy]

Great take off shot captured at the best possible moment, David.
This pose is one of my favorite poses.

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Striking take-off image, David. Great light, detail and beautiful BG. Wonderful topmost wings.




Geoffrey

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Dave, very well timed here, and of course, he even gave you eye contact with a great HA. Comp works well, and just love the extended wings - tack sharp too. Thats a pretty neat BG too.

Big congrats on your display - something to be proud of.

[dankearl]

Congrats on all Dave.. the hardest working man in Avian Photography....

[Jonathan Ashton]

That's a real humdinger excellent details and colours super pose.

[arash_hazeghi]

excellent frame Dave, love the peak of action dynamic pose. I suggest lowering the contrast just a bit. tack sharp with a nice BG too, hope we get a frame like this one soon!

see you next week!

Arash

[Daniel Cadieux]

How cool is that! Everything came together nicely for you that morning...right down to the music (I'm more of a hard rock/metal guy, but soft rock works too)

[William Dickson]

10/10

Will

[Robert Kimbrell]

A super frame David, It al came together well here, congrats.

[David Salem]

Thanks so much everyone for the comments. I'm really glad you like it.

Daniel, I love hard rock and metal too but the birds in my area prefer the Eagles and Boston at 6:30 am as apposed to AC/DC and Metallica :)

[Mike Poole]

Just about as good as it gets, great take off pose with the added bonus of a sneaky look in your direction

Mike

[Lorant Voros]

Top notch for sure, all aspects came together here. I can see why it is your favorite from last year.

[Glenn Conlan]

Its "Ricky the Redtail". He was very cooperative for a haggard redtail. I have a similar image but your angle and wing position is much better

[John Robinson]

All been said really. Very nice.
JohnR

[Steve Kaluski]

Hey David, another fine shot, congrats on the two prints, but even better to see the figure behind all the wonderful images you have shared with us, thanks.

TFS
Steve

[David Salem]

Thanks again everyone! I appreciate you taking the time to comment.

[Satish Ranadive]

Excellent image. Spectacular take off.

Regards,
Satish.