arkansas red tail hawk

[daniel valovich]

Hello to all!
Last weekend ice storm made for some good photo ops.
My intentions was to shoot some hawks on roost with the ice on the trees.



nikon d-200
f2.8
1-2000s
iso 1000
nikon18-200 2.8

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Daniel

You sure manage to focus on that bird with the busy bg !!!

Your idea of having the bird perched with ice on the tree would have been good, just try to come up with a clean bg !! .. matter of luck and moving around within light direction.

For this one the flight position is good, image sharp but the branches behind just overwhelm the bird !!! btw tech wise you don't need that much ISO Looking forward to the next one !!!

[Lance Peters]

Hi Daniel - AL nailed this one.
Great job with the focus.

Hope you have some more to show us :)

[daniel valovich]

thanks for the much needed advice.

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Agree with comments above, BG is critical part of picture. Needs to be clean as possible IMO. Light seems to be from the side, try and get sun behind. You found a hawk and ice - nice image planning. Please show us more!

[daniel valovich]

The hawks were paired up when I saw them next to a busy highway. I had quickly pulled over which would normally make them bolt. I was able to shoot a few frames from the passenger side of the truck.
When I got out to sneak around to the back they flew off.
I guess I am just odd because I like the background.I do understand the critique and will apply your suggestions when possible. Here is another I feel is worth showing with the background.I get a cold chill when I look at it. It was about 17 degrees that morning.
Dan