Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk with nest material

[Chris van Rooyen]

This is another image from the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, taken a few years back. These raptors are quite common in the arid western parts of South Africa, and they have the peculiar habitat of hunting on foot, like mini-Secretarybirds. They are attractive birds and not shy at all. This pair was nesting in the crown of a small camel thorn tree. Slightly cropped, processed in LR and PS, noise removal on the background with Neat Image. Thanks for viewing!

Camera Model: NIKON D3S
Date/Time: 2016:07:04 08:45:08
Shutter speed: 1/3200 sec
Aperture: 7.1
Exposure mode: Manual
Exposure compensation: -1/3
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 800
Lens: 500.0 mm f/4.0
Focal length: 500mm

[Arthur Morris]

Very nice. What is the fluffy yellow stuff? It looks like insulation ...

with love, artie

[John Mack]

Sweet frame. Nesting matertial is a bouns. Really the view of those feet. The green branches and sky compliment one another very well.

[David Roach]

Just above the treeline perfection. TFS

[Jonathan Ashton]

A fine action shot, great timing. The nesting material, I am guessing is fluffy seed head material, it really adds to the image along withe the very visible eye.
I may be wrong and it is just the time of day but are the green leaves a little blue?

[Chris van Rooyen]

Very nice. What is the fluffy yellow stuff? It looks like insulation ...

Not sure Artie, maybe animal fur? Rgds Chris.

P.S. thanks for commenting and viewing

[Dorian Anderson]

Fantastic look at this bird, particular the feet/talons. Lighting and exposure on bird are perfect. The tree below is mostly a matter of personal preference; I think it works fine but it's not my thing. But I'm a bit of a slave for to clean shots, often to my own creative detriment....