Coopers Hawk

[Roy Priest]

I know the background is busy but I like how it shows how well the Coopers blends into it's habitat. As I was taking the picture a couple of birders drove up and were searching to see what I was taking pictures of. One finally made his way over to my truck and stood by the window asking what I was seeing. I said Coopers and pointed in the direction of the bird. Took him several minutes of me coaching him as to the whereabouts of the bird before he spotted it. They blend in really well.
Removed a couple of twigs on her breast.
D90, 500 F4, 1/800 @ F4.5, ISO 320, lens rested on truck window.(need to get a bean bag)

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Roy I don't have a problem with the bg either, you have no merging sticks and does show their environment, might just lighten the left side of the face a bit Excellent image !!!

[Desmond Chan]

Perhaps because of the branches that look quite evenly scattered all across the background, they seem to form a pattern behind the hawk. I would be tempted to add more "light" to the head of the copper though.

Good find !

[Julie Kenward]

Very nice! I love how the BG is busy but isn't distracting...you did a great job on the cloning as well. I'd also lighten the face and consider a vertical crop with him on the left side of the frame so you still have room for the "environment."

[Roy Priest]

Hi Roy I don't have a problem with the bg either, you have no merging sticks and does show their environment, might just lighten the left side of the face a bit Excellent image !!!

Thanks Alfred, I did lighten the face and was afraid to go more as it was affecting the IQ of the face.

[Roy Priest]

Perhaps because of the branches that look quite evenly scattered all across the background, they seem to form a pattern behind the hawk. I would be tempted to add more "light" to the head of the copper though.

Good find !

Thanks Desmond, see my reply to Alf re; the face. I almost drove by but was alerted by the splash of colour on her breast that didn't fit with the surroundings. I've been finding lots of neat things, as you have, including a Golden Eagle in Delta. It's been there for a while but usually too far away to get a good pic. I have some as just a record shot.

[Roy Priest]

Thanks Julie, I'll look at a vertical crop for sure.