Harris Hawk

[Jackie Schuknecht]

One from the workshop.
40D
f/5
1/500s
100 - 400 @200
+1/3
ISO 800
Cropped a little and straightened.
Added canvas to the right with content aware.
The white on the top of the head is actually feathers though it looks like haloing.
Sharpened the eye and a few feathers.
Took out a few flakes of snow from the bottom.
HH

Comments appreciated.

[Katie Rupp]

Hi Jackie, I like the emotional appeal here; he looks sad and lonely sittlng there in the snow. Nice bg , good feather detail and you're right, it does look like haloing.

[Nonda Surratt]

He does look lonely! Really nice detail and the Bg looks good with the bird. I'mnot sure about the HA???

[Gail Spitler]

Interesting - my very first reaction was that this was an unhappy looking bird. It may just be un-fierce and looking for a treat from its handler? Or maybe it is the weather; these are SW USA & Mexico birds. Is this a fairly young bird? They are often used by falconers. Very beautiful hawks.
Funny about the feathers along the head. I have had the same thing happen on an eagle portrait and couldn't figure out what was happening.
Sharpness, feather detail, exposure all look great. HA may lead to a lose of dynamics in the image?
Cheers
Gail

[denise ippolito]

Jackie, love the detail ,perch is nice, BG is great esp. w/ the snow!! only nit is HA- but the eye is quite visible and he is staring into the scene. Lovely shot! Wish he was free-

[Gus Cobos]

I like it as presented Jackie,
The head angle and eye contact is not 100%, but lets just say that he was looking at something in his environment...you got my get out of jail card for the HA Police...:D The colors on the bird and the details are superb...congrats...:cool:

[Nonda Surratt]

Jackie would that falconer's name be Jamie, the main guy?

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Nonda the main fellow's name is Dion. He is French Canadian.

[Nonda Surratt]

Ok there is another guy up there that also flies the birdies. Only time I've ever seen a Harris H., up close and personal no less, great birds.

[Harold Davis]

nice detail, perfect exposure, great bg and snow flakes that take it over the top for me!! the HA may be off the norm but you sure captured a look!! nice job. i like it a lot!!!!!

[Alfred Forns]

I like it a lot Particularly the compelling look in his eyes Sort of makes wonder what is going on !! Strong image !!!

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Gail don't know the age of the bird. They were raised from chicks and imprinted on the handlers. In this shot think he was getting fairly agitated and looking at the handler. They said the birds did not enjoy the weather, the winds were very strong and they really didn't like flying under these conditions.

[Oscar Zangroniz]

Great composition and background. The snow takes it over the top in my books.
Congrats,