Hawk Departure...

[John Blumenkamp]

Here is one from a few days ago... these hawks have sure been getting harassed at times, whether it's by smaller birds or other raptors like harriers and kestrels. Captured at Farmington Bay WMA, northern Utah...

7D w/ 500 f/4
1/2000 f/7.1 iso400
handheld from auto

I really love the IQ of the 7D images with the 500 f/4 (no tc). With the tc they are great too, but a bare 500 - awesome stuff (that is when I get things in focus, etc... lol).

Thanks for looking,
John

[Harshad Barve]

lovely wing pose , eye , details and compo ,
TFS

[Ed Cordes]

Super detail and nice eye contact. The wing position is good. I especially like the detail under the wings.

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the talons and details in this image! I will have to get that 500 lens soon.

[Marina Scarr]

Nothing not to like about this capture. Nice exposure, sharpness and composition. What kind of hawk is this please?

[Betsie Storm]

John, I also like all about this image, Ditto Marina's question- species?

[Stu Bowie]

Excellent detail and sharpness John, and I like the exposure in this too. Well captured.

[Doug Brown]

Gorgeous take-off pose in great light. Well done John!

[Morkel Erasmus]

tack sharp and love the almost eye-level view you had John. great pose and exposure too.

[Kiran Poonacha]

the talons makes this for me, lovely image...

[Ofer Levy]

Fantastic image!!! SLight adjustments can help IMO. Happy to repost with your permission.

[James Salywoda]

Awesome shot John I love the wing position and the dangling legs showing those talons
this is really sharp showing the nice details in the feathers. Excellent Shot!

[John Blumenkamp]

Thanks for the comments everyone.

Marina & Betsie - this is a good 'ol red-tailed hawk (unless I'm totally missing something... lol)

Ofer - certainly feel free to repost, as I'd love to learn what I can keep doing to improve images... thanks!

[Ofer Levy]

Hi John, this is an outstanding image - just felt it needs a slight boost in levels and contrast - nothing major.

[David Fletcher]

Super flight pose John. Love the details. Ofer's repost lifts it further. Nicely done.

[John Blumenkamp]

Thanks Ofer... definitley adds more punch. ;-) Did you use both levels and curves, or anything else? Thanks.

[david cramer]

Very nice image, with good details. The dangling talons add much to the feel of the image.

[Ofer Levy]

Thanks Ofer... definitley adds more punch. ;-) Did you use both levels and curves, or anything else? Thanks.

Hi John,
Only levels and some contrast.

[Danny Laredo]

Wonderful image John. Ofers' repost indeed adds to the image.

[Chris van Rooyen]

Beautiful posture and sharpness, and light quality!