Warning: Bloody Graphic

[Desmond Chan]

Or bloody and graphic.

D300 300f2.8 with monopod. Manual exposure mode (metered the snow), no flash; ISO 1600 :o f6.3 1/1000 sec.

Cropped about 25% plus the usual pp stuff.

This is one of the 270 something frames of the whole incident I came across yesterday. From the time it flew down the tree to the time it left me and other photogs there about 45min to an hour later. I actually learned that the goshawks were there so just went to see what happened. Didn't capture the catch but did get some in-perfect shots of it leaving with the "take-home".

I was I believe within 30 feet from it. First time I witnessed this so would like to share one of the photos with you nice folks here.

At one point I was laying down on my stomach on the snow. But I found that I couldn't see the bloody, literally, meal clearly from that position. I ended up mostly on my knees and sometimes even standing up.

Hope you don't find it too graphic cuz I have a couple of them that may not be suitable for viewing if you're enjoying your meals (you want to see them? :D)

I think the head angle is OK and eye contact looks fine, too.

I would like to take this opportunity to say thanks to this juvenile northern goshawk for taking the time in the middle of its lunch to look at my lens !

Also thank you in advance for looking !!

[Desmond Chan]

This (shot with 300+1.7TC) is what it was about to eat. It appears the goshawk like the wigeon because other shots I've seen also has the hawk got the male american wigeon even though mallards and american coots are also around and nearby.

[Desmond Chan]

This is what the hawk was taking home with:

[Cody Newman]

WOW, great job those are some pretty sweet pics! Congrats

[Nonda Surratt]

Desmond

These are flat out fantastic! A cooperative hawk and you took really good and full advantage.

Sorta wish there wasn't that glob of white in the 2nd one.

Glad you are sharing...Thanks!

[Kathy Reeves]

Outstanding!

[Arthur Morris]

Hi Desmond, Normally I think that we are supposed to post only similars and re-posts but these are so spectacular that I will let you slide. Do note that your membership support would be greatly appreciated. My fave would be the 2nd one but for the huge white thing? What was is? It could be replaced or toned down fairly easily.

Where do you live? Where was the image created?

[Gail Spitler]

Well done. My fav is the second image as well. Goshawk is one intense hunter
Gail

[Gus Cobos]

I like the second post Desmond,
very good action captured...I like the graphic details...:cool:

[Dave Leroy]

Desmond, Spectacular is the word. Thanks for posting. My fav is the first one, simplier bg and lots of eye contact, although all three are really good and capture the moment.
I too am curious about where the photo were taken and what software did use for nr is anything when shooting at ISO1600. Tks Dave

[Desmond Chan]

Hi Desmond, Normally I think that we are supposed to post only similars and re-posts but these are so spectacular that I will let you slide.

Sorry :o and Thank you ! :)

My fave would be the 2nd one but for the huge white thing? What was is? It could be replaced or toned down fairly easily.

It was a ship. I learned from other photog's experiences that the goshawk would fly away as they see they're being..."watched". The second photo was taken from quite far away on-route to the hawk. I knew the result would not be good but I wanted to have some photos before the goshawk take-off, which in my mind could be anytime. Now I guess they were talking about the adult one that fly off and mine is a juvenile. I wasn't the only one watching it eating all the time and the hawk was very aware of all the people around it (it was an open area).

Where do you live? Where was the image created?

The location is a park in Vancouver, BC. Some local birders suspect the hawks would go back there every year since some of them saw the hawks hunting ducks there last year.


Thank you folks !!

[Harold Davis]

i normally tend to go against the grain, so i like the first one the best!! fantastic series, desmond. well done and thanks for sharing!!

[Alfred Forns]

What a series !!!! Artie is correct on the additional images but will stay ... impressive set !!!

I also like the second but might go for the third Tough choice !!! I like how you cranked up the ISO and took advantage of the camera's fine performance.

[Desmond Chan]

what software did use for nr is anything when shooting at ISO1600. Tks Dave

I use CS3 and Neat Image. A large part of the photos are white or of light colors; they help "hiding" the noise a bit, too.

[Desmond Chan]

What a series !!!! Artie is correct on the additional images but will stay ...

Thank you :o

I also like the second but might go for the third Tough choice !!!

I wish I had a good, with everything in frame in-flight shot of the hawk with the amercian wigeon in its talons, dead or alive. This, to me, is the best one in the sequence after it took off and I had only a couple more shots left before the card was full.

[denise ippolito]

Desmond-Kudos to you!!! Great shots and great thread!!

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Absolutely amazing Desmond. Love them all, especially the one taking off.