Red-tailed Hawk

[Brian Barcelos]

I spent about 45 minutes with this guy at a distance of about 20 feet. This was at the local cemetery where I've seen him/her before but never was approachable. She even sat through a conversation when my mother called me.:D Tomorrow I'll be going back for better light and hopefully my buddy is there and possibly BIF opportunity.

Wish the leaves weren't crossing his chest and light is pretty harsh, full frame. Hope everyone likes it. By the way his crop was pretty full and maybe thats way he didn't take off? All C/C appreciated

Brian

Canon EOS 50D
Aperture-Priority AE
Tv 1/1600
Av 7.1
Evaluative Metering
Exposure Comp -1
ISO 400
Tamron 200-500mm
Focal Length 500mm

[Paul Randall]

Very harsh light and settings but you have dealt with it relatively well.
Definitely get back out there and give it another shot hopefully light and luck will be with you.

[ramesh anantharaman]

a very nice specimen indeed. worth another try by all means.

[Lance Peters]

Gorgeous bird - agree with your self critique - you have handled the light pretty well.
Hope you get a shot with better light.
Good luck!!!

[arash_hazeghi]

Hi Brian,
You did well given the condition, chest feathers are a bit blown but you got eye contact. Hope you can get some flight shots, the best postilion is right after take off or when they bank towards you. Good luck!

[david cramer]

Even with the not-so-good lighting and angle (leaves), you did well here. Getting to spend that much time and be so close is well worth the experience!

[Harshad Barve]

Brian
Nice job in given conditions
TFS

[denise ippolito]

Brian, I think you did well w/ the lighting and I agree w/ you regarding the leaves-but not much you could do there. I still might tone down the perch a tiny bit and the one talon. Good luck on your next one-I look forward to seeing it.

[Dave Blinder]

Nice high contrast photo. The leaves don't look too distracting to me, maybe they add to the natural feel here. The shadows on the tail feathers are a little harsh, but not much you can do about it.

[Brian Barcelos]

Thanks for all comments and suggestions.

Arash, There aren't any blown pixels in this image, only BG severely under exposed.

David, definitely worth it. If anyone was standing behind me they would of thought I was crazy because I was having a one way conversation with him.:D

[Mike Milicia]

You captured a nice pose and with great eye contact.
Would like to see bird a bit higher in frame as tail is a bit tight at the bottom.
Issues with harsh light already covered.

Hope you get another chance!

[Randy Stout]

Brian:

If circumstances would have allowed, a slow step or two to your left would have cleared the leaves from his chest and not have caused much additional problems with sun angle/light. But of course, you were there.

I really like the head position and angle.

Good luck on more chances with him.

Randy

[Kiran Poonacha]

All points covered above, loved the spot light effect.. congrats..