Crested caracara and Scissor-tail Flycatcher

[gail bisson]

Just back from a great workshop with Hector Astorga and (Ann P) at Santa Clara Ranch In Texas. Man, it was HOT!
This poor Caracara had the misfortune of flying by the flycatcher's nest! These little birds are relentless in their harassment of the caracara.
This is my favorite image so far (hopefully I find a few more gems).
Canon 1 DX
600mm
ISO 2500 SS f 4.5 SS 1/2000 taken at ~ 8:00AM
PP: Crop to 70% FF, usual LR sliders then off to Photoshop for levels, NR to BG, DE/TC at 12% and cloned in some green under the caracara as there was a space there that i did not like.
Comments and critiques always appreciated and learned from with thanks,
Gail
PS Just looked at this and the whites on the neck are a bit hot but the TIFF is perfect. Must have happened during downsizing.

[Krishna Prasad kotti]

Amazing shot. I love the behavior, Head Angles etc. I like it a lot.

Thanks for sharing this one.

[John Whaley]

Great in flight capture with very nice subtle light. I like the down wing up wing pose of both birds. Maybe it was because of the heat but there is a different IQ to this image, almost like a painting.

[Joseph Przybyla]

Just smiles... I give up. You nailed it. Thanks for sharing, Gail.

[Bill Dix]

You've gotta be kidding! This is amazing. Love the interaction, the "looks" on both birds, the wing positions, fanned tail on the Flycatcher, inclusion of the trees. No nits, just kudos.

[Isaac Grant]

This is one of those almost shots for me Gail. If you had a more interesting raptor like a Turkey Vulture being pursued by a more showy passerine like a House Sparrow then it would really set the action off Joking of course. This is killer and all looks just great. The expressions on the Caracaras face is priceless. It is the kind of photo that you hope for when you plan a trip. Congrats Gail. I love your phots and always look forward to viewing them. I bet the only thing hotter than the temperature in Texas was this photo!!!

[annmpacheco]

Way to go Gail, love this shot and on my big screen and your PS processing, this looks better than when i viewed it in Texas! Wonderful tracking, and ability to not melt... 104 right! I love the cara cara's expression!

[William Dickson]

Wow.....David and Goliath. Very well captured Gail. Lovely detail and HA's on both birds. The facial expression on the Caracara is terrific. Nice BG as well.

Good work

Will

[David Policansky]

What a shot, Gail, and it's made perfect by the way the caracara is looking at the camera as if to say "WTF??"

[Geoffrey Montagu]

This takes the cake, Gail. Great concentration tracking the interaction, and capturing this wonderful image.

Geoffrey




http://500px.com/geoffreymontagu

[David Salem]

Wow!! What a great action frame. Deffintly my kind of image!!
Looks nice and sharp too. Love the poses, especially the scissor tail. Well done Gail