Bill, I envy shots of Harris Hawks and hope to get one next spring as we head south with some friends for a shoot.
RE the cactus, I'm with you. I certainly don't think it helps the image in any way necessarily, but if it were off the rump in the left hand section I think it could present much better. I wonder if you saturated it more if it would help - it's a really pale shade of green - ?
That said, for an off-angle flight shot of a dark species I think you handled it well!
Bill lovely shot and not sure about the cactus, takes away some pretty prominent. Either way I am fine might try Brian's suggestion on making it darker. The cactus is part of their environment. Colors on the bird spot on and good detail. Not sure if you know Harris hawks hunt socially in groups. Pretty neat to see.
I like the cactus more than I thought I would from the thumbnail, but I don't particularly love it either. It does add context for sure in its habitat. The hawk itself looks great - I'm really digging those talons! I'd be OK with a bit more warmth to the image.
The view of the legs and feet is amazing! Just a killer action pose, cactus or no. I would prefer it didn't intersect the bird, but plain blue sky isn't much better either. IQ on face isn't top notch but certainly passable. A good result in what looks like sub-optimal lighting.
Love the bird, the pose, and the sharpness. I can't decide on the cactus :0
with love, a
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Harris's Hawk with Cactus
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