Red-shouldered Hawk

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Captured this image in February of 2019 in a local grassland preserve as the RSHA was devouring a vole. C&C welcome.


D500, nikon 500mm f/4G + 1.4 TC, 1/400s, f 6.3, ISO 1600, Gitzo, Wimberley Gimbal Head.


Geoffrey




http://500px.com/geoffreymontagu

[Brian Sump]

Geoffrey, killer stare and stunning bkg to compliment the subject. Wood posts usually don't get much praise here but the moss and just a slight reveal work great for me.

The bird is a touch noisy for my tastes, curious if you give it a shot of NR what it would do.

TFS!

[arash_hazeghi]

I like the stare and the prey but the IQ in this one just doesn't cut it for me, too noisy and washed out. I imagine it was a pretty large crop maybe?

TFS

[Aditya Sridhar]

I love the head-on pose here, but I agree that the bird is a bit too noisy. I think a shot of contrast, saturation and some careful NR could improve this image. I'd also include more of the perch even if it's ugly because the image has a lot of empty space above the bird and too little at the bottom. Really neat background though. TFS

[gail bisson]

Hi Geoffrey,
The guys have given you some great advice.
I agree with Aditya re: including more of the post.
Love the behavior shown and that direct gaze. How big of a crop is this? Did you have to raise the exposure?
I am trying to figure out why the noise is on the bird?
Gail

[David Roach]

Love this behavioral canvas and a killer BG. Yes to a little more perch and I'm sure you can fix the noise on bird. TFS

ps
That stare...

[John Mack]

I like the pose and that direct stare. The background is great.

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Thanks everyone for your input and suggestions. I've addressed each of your suggestions, and I hope this repost is an improvement. The conditions that late Feb. afternoon were not in my favor with darkish overcast and light fading fast. This was about a 45% crop, and I did have to raise the exposure a bit. The post had a sign attached just below the base of the image.

Geoffrey




http://500px.com/geoffreymontagu

[gail bisson]

Repost is excellent!

[Dorian Anderson]

Stare and prey are great, and I agree the repost addresses the noise, color, and contrast concerns nicely. The post, however, is a big issue for me. As composed, it feel like an afterthought. The problem is that showing more means more man-made stuff in the frame. So, you have to decide which way you want to give.

[Brian Sump]

Much better on the repost Geoffrey. Still a bit noisy but better indeed.