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Thread: Backyard menace

  1. #1
    Bryan Hix
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    Default Backyard menace

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    I took this photo of a Cooper's hawk last November right before a big snow storm in my backyard. He was visiting several times a day and the mourning doves never knew what hit them.

    I had to clone out several sticks that were distracting. This was the first week I bought my 500mm f/4.

    Canon 40D
    500mm f/4.5 handheld
    ISO 400 1/1250th
    AV mode, no comp
    PSE7, crop, cloned branches, sharpening, WB correction, added border

  2. #2
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    Interesting one-legged stance. Very nice feather detail, good head turn and a complimentary background. The crop feels a bit cramped to me - maybe a bit more room at the top.

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    some what more space on top & at bottom , rest is just fantastic
    TFS

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    I agree it is a bit tight, but nicely exposed, nice BG, sharpness and light and you did a good job on the retouch. You must be loving your 500mm as much as I do. Congrats.

  5. #5
    Ken Watkins
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    IMHO a totally stunning capture, I like it as it is. Strange how so many raptors sit on one leg, very often the other talon slightly protrudes from the belly feathers but not here!

  6. #6
    Arlon Motsch
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    Nice shot. Nothing I don't like about it.

    I guess that one legged stance conserves a lot of body heat. One heat exchanger hanging down there instead of two. Bet you seldom see this stance on a hot summer day.

  7. #7
    Erich Stevens
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    Well done Bryan! Good sharpness and details. Clean BG, great HA, love the intensity of the hawk's eyes. I witnessed an adult cooper's attacking and killing a white-winged dove at my backyard bird feeder a few months back and it was awesome! This one looks like a juvie. Top marks!

  8. #8
    Tell Dickinson
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    Lovely shot of a lovely bird and great bg. Another vote for a little more room at left and top.

    Tell

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    the room around is all ready addressed, good neat image, with lovely details and HA.. congrats..

  10. #10
    edgar-junior
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    Amazing shot !!!! sharpness and details looks great but how a little more space on top

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    Great sharpness and detail. Exposure looks great. A bit tight in the frame. With the one legged stance, it makes it feel even more unbalanced with the bird that far on the left. Still a very nice capture.

  12. #12
    Bryan Hix
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    I added some more room to the top and left. Thoughts?

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    Hi, Brian. I find the bird in the repost to be better balanced in the frame. Great image!

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    Hi Brian,
    Awesome image - I would add even a tad more to the left.
    Best,
    Nicki

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    Quote Originally Posted by Nicki Gwynn Jones View Post
    Hi Brian,
    Awesome image - I would add even a tad more to the left.
    Best,
    Nicki
    Agreed, I'd add even more to the left.

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    Like your repost. Don't mind the space on the left. Cracking sharpness and pose Brian. Nice shot.

  17. #17
    Don Anderson
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    One of my Fav hawks.. Very nice capture.. looks like your 500 f4 is
    going to be a real asset.

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    I prefer the repost in terms of composition. The nice and soft light is just fantastic and love the "one-leg" pose of the hawk. Sweet head turn and what a great eye, really lively.

  19. #19
    Bryan Hix
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    Thanks for the kind words and advice on the comp. I very much appreciate the honest FB on this site. It motivates me to learn better techinques every time I am out in the field.

  20. #20
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
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    Love the SH and BKGR. The repost is better but the bird is still a bit too large in the room. No larger than about 75% of the longest dimension of the frame should be about it unless you are named Roman Curry-check...
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

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  21. #21
    Roman Kurywczak
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    I'm more of an 85% guy Artie!....so just a bit of room below the tail (and I do mean a little bit!) I agree with a bit more right Bryan.......rest turned out VG!

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