Another backyard diner...

[Kerry Perkins]

However, this Cooper's Hawk did not succeed in dining on any of the baby sparrows on this day. There is a whole flock of little ones living in the shrubs along my fence, and this bad boy was looking for an early dinner. The sparrows all ganged up on him and chased him away, but I know he'll be back. This was the second time this spring we had seen him land there.

Converted in LR2, then sent to CS4 for final polish. About a 50% crop, had the wrong lens for the occasion! Did some burning and dodging to help with the harsh light and shadows and added in a catch light. Does it work?

50D, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS @ 195mm
Aperture priority, f/4@1/1600, evaluative metering EC +2/3 ISO 400 AWB
AI Servo autofocus using back button, HH, no flash

Thanks for your comments.

[John Hawkins]

Before I read your notes, I thought to myself that something was off with the catchlight. Also the bright white diagonal is distracting. Nice capture, head angle and sharp. Looking forward to more. John

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Kerry

Since most of the undesirable bg is to the right and the bird is looking left ... I would crop from the right and give more room to the left Should do at the time of capture ... don't center the bird then crop ... focus reposition the camera and fire away !!

Beautiful bird and love your are not using the 2.0 X !!!! :)

[Gus Cobos]

Hi Kerry,
The angled harsh sun light is a killer...I do like the sharp details and the sharp eye...agree with Mr. Forns on cropping from the right side of the frame...looking forward to more...:cool:

[Lance Peters]

Hi Kerry - agree with Gus the harsh angled sunlight was always going to make this a tough one.
The top RHS Corner with the diagonal is just to distracting - as it is the brightest part of the photo - my eye naturally goes there first.
Gorgeours bird and sharp - good job with the 2X.