Redtail in SoCal

[Ian McLachlan]

Having spent 5 great days in Southern California with David Salem, I'm sending an image or two for comment.

This one was about the best of the in-flight redtails.
I've left fluff on the beak, presumably from a kill (could come off, but it reminds me of the first hawk of 5 days).

1/2500
f5.6
800 ISO
1DX
840mm (600mm + 1.4)

Any cc much appreciated

[Tim Foltz]

Hi Ian, nice shot of the red-tail, nice HA and BG, I would clone out the branch on the bottom left but other than that...

-Tim

[Daniel Cadieux]

Looks good overall. I could see a bit of trim above, not much, and yes to removing the branch peeking in at the bottom. I love the flared tail, talons, and their shadows.

[Bill Dix]

Nice flight pose and background. Although I don't think the whites are clipped, I wonder if pulling down the right end of the curve just a bit might give it some more pop.

[arash_hazeghi]

you were lucky Ian activity was great when you visited. and this frame is excellent, I would crop it a bit tighter and post at 1200 pixels wide. whites are good,

TFS

[David Salem]

It was great having you out all the way from Australia to shoot with me Ian!! We had great weather and lots of raptors to shoot so I was stoked that it all worked out well!! This was a fun morning and the shot looks fantastic. Nice early morning light as this beautiful adult male lifts off of his morning perch. Love the colors and the shadows of the legs and talons too. Im' glad you kept that down feather on the head as I know you liked it Well done and looking forward to more from your trip.

[Ian McLachlan]

Many thanks for comments from all.I will try to work on it and bring them in.
Arash, I could hear your palpable envy on the phone while David was describing what was happening down there.It was a magic day and he gets you to the birds as you know.
Ian

[William Dickson]

Lovely looking image Ian. Nice looking bird against a great BG.

Will

[Jim Crosswell]

Excellent image Ian! I like the IQ, sharpness, composition and complimentary BG.

[Glenn Conlan]

Well done Ian, you got fairly close before he bolted