Uncle Jack

[Marina Scarr]

At Glenn's behest, I am sharing this Jack Merlin image captured on my adventure with our very own David Salem back in January in CA. He had just finished a meal before landing on this perch in perfect light with a dreamy BG. This stud muffin was photographed from the back of David's truck using a beanbag as he perched on one of David's perches at the wildlife management area near his home. What a treat it was just to lay eyes on this stunner!!!

Canon 1D4, Canon 500L & 1.4 TC
F8, 1/1000sec, ISO 800, manual mode
Beanbag on side of truck window

Thank you in advance for your thoughtful comments and critiques.

[Isaac Grant]

As I said before. You set the bar high. The colors and details and just perfect as is the creamy smooth and muted background. I can stare at this for a long time and enjoy more as time goes on.

[David Salem]

I'm so glad Jack showed up on the last day of our shoot together. I was crossing my fingers for you and Doug so when we finally saw him fly to a perch at perfect range, and with great light, and with a killer BG, I was stoked for you guys.
He is so handsome and you did him great justice with this beautiful capture. Love the loose feathered pose and the nice details. Not to often you can get this close to one of these beautiful raptors. Well done Marina

[Richard Flack]

Beautiful image Marina of a handsome bird. The light and background are fantastic. If I was to not pick and give a subjective point of view... Given the head angle I would prefer to see this bird sitting more to the right in the image with more space to look into. That said the detail is excellent and I really like the pose.

[keith mitchell]

Don't see how you could make it much better Marina,great relaxed pose with it's fluffed out plumage,all sits very well on that nice BG.

Keith.

[christopher galeski]

Great image Marina,nice BG and perch,good IQ,agree with Richards comment on the bird sitting more to the right and more on the left.well done.

[shane shacaluga]

Love the setting and light here. BG is perfect and IQ top notch

Agree with more to the right

Good work TFS

[Jonathan Ashton]

Marina a treat to photograph and it was a treat to view, beautiful exposure colours and details and a fine pose - well done.

[Glenn Conlan]

Thanks for posting "Handsome Jack", I knew you were getting some good frames of him. Dave put you in great position. Love the detail and head position. Maybe we will get lucky with another visit from him this fall

[Gabriela Plesea]

Hello Marina!
Great subject, wonderful light, super pose, lovely framing! That cheeky, almost arrogant look from Jack tops it all

Warmest regards,

[Karl Egressy]

Killer image, Marina.

[Raybel Robles]

This is superb! lovely details and light! The Merlin's color with the BG is just perfect. I do agree with a bit more to the right.

[Bill Dix]

A beautiful subject, and wonderful light. Lovely simple color palette. When I first looked I thought: he needs some more room on the left to look into, and then thought, It's nice to see someone "breaking the rules". I could go either way.

[Mike Poole]

Beautiful light on this stunning bird, and a great regal pose. I'd also go for a little more negative space on the left.

Mike

[arash_hazeghi]

Gorgeous frame Marina, one that every photographer would love to have!