The Hawk finally scored a snack

[Diane Miller]

This was 12 minutes after my last post. He gave up on whatever he was trying to catch and flew into a nearby extremely unattractive coyote bush, half-hidden, but soon flew to the ground and grabbed a vole (?). He had his back to me and was moving constantly and I missed critical focus on most shots. (Had the center point only.) The full frames were not pleasing but this one is not bad (to me) at a crop to 30% of the original full frame.

Canon 7D2, 400 DO II + 2X III, ISO 800, f/10, 1/200. Big Gitzo and Wimberley II. I should have had the presence of mind to notice that the light had gone low as a gloomy cloud came up, but I didn't. But I wouldn't have been happy with a higher ISO. Probably could have gone to f/8 though, to get a little more SS.

[christopher galeski]

nice capture,some nice detail,the food is a nice bonus,needs some NR on the BG.TFS.

[Glennie Passier]

Wow Diane! I have seen this one first, but have followed your story. You must be tickled pink. The prey is the "icing on the cake". I agree with Chris. Maybe a little NR on the BG.

[shane shacaluga]

Great portrait Diane. The prey in the mouth about to be swallowed tops this one off nicely. Good work on the colours

Agree on the NR but not an issue really

[keith mitchell]

Beautiful detail and sharpness on this Hawk Diane, the eye is stunning and the prey item is a real bonus.


Keith.

[Karl Egressy]

Excellent action portrait shot, Diane. One of those rare moments you will remember for a long time.

[Joseph Przybyla]

Nice, up close and personal. Nice HA, prey... wish it were mine. Thank you for sharing, Dianne.

[Dave Johnson]

This one made me dither Diane. Nice action captured and details held up quite well for such a big crop. TFS

[Jack Dean III]

Great shot.

[Kalin Botev]

Superb shot Diane! I love the vole J
Are you willing to share more details about the way you approach the bird? Are you sitting in a hide and waiting? Here it is the only way to get a shot of a raptor like that. For most other wildlife as well…
Thanks,
Kalin

[Diane Miller]

Thanks everyone! I'll have a look at the noise -- it's something I'm not very particular about, remembering film.

My secret here was that I was wandering along a hiking trail frequented by folks with dogs, on my way back to the car after some unremarkable duck hunting. I have seen hawks in this area, as there is a large winter-marshy area adjacent, but I wasn't expecting to find one close enough to bother with. Then I saw his silhouette in a scrubby, scraggly bush near the trail. Of course the sun, such as it was, was behind him but I slowly walked around and got toward the sunny side. Then he flew to the perfect position down sun from me and parked on a metal T-post. I was able to slowly approach him (already had the lens on the tripod) and got some full body shots. There was a tiny brook in between us and he flew to it right in front of me, maybe 20-25 ft away, to try to catch something, without success. Then flew to another ugly bush close enough to get more pictures, then jumped down to the ground maybe 30 ft to my right from where he had been and caught this little furry thing. He mostly had his back to me and ate it very quickly -- basically swallowed it whole.

So that's my strategy -- dumb luck! But a couple of hikers said he hangs out there so I'll be going back often! He's apparently used to people.

I do see hawks in our rural area and I keep meaning to set up a blind and a perch and hang up some chicken parts to try to get some pictures.

[Jim Crosswell]

Excellent image Dianne! I like the details, sharpness, prey, pose and composition. Agree with the need for NR on the NG. Look forward to seeing more images of this hawk.

[Diane Miller]

Thanks everyone! Now I'm seeing the noise better -- will be fixed on the master file.

Got more of him (her?) today.