I created this image last week while on Ontario's Bruce Peninsula on Georgian Bay. This juvenile hawk was perched on a power line alongside a country road. I had just passed it as I spotted it so we backed up slowly to it again. It was on the passenger side of the vehicle so I couldn't actually see it then so my wife created a couple of images with her point and shoot camera. By this time another car had also stopped and they were photographing it from their car window as well.
The bird still appeared very calm so I slipped out of the driver's door and staying low got my camera out of the back seat. I used the car as a blind and began creating some images. I made a little squeaking sound and when the bird looked directly at me I got this image.
Canon EOS 40D, Sigma 50-500mm handheld. 1/320 seconds, F 6.30, ISO 400, Flash - Flash not fired
Image cropped from portrait mode to about 50% of full frame to remove a lot of dead space above the birds head.
I like the cocked head and the great eye contact. I'd probably crop a bit off the top. Perhaps a little more sharpening of the feathers on top of the head.
This picture would probably look good with a gentle dark frame. Otherwise, nice and great eye contact. I can see some noise on the bill and in the eyes. Maybe from the crop? A little sharper would be good, agreed. :)