Red-Shouldered Hawk

[Doug Brown]

While photographing WTKs in California, we got a surprise visit from this Red-Shouldered Hawk. The RAW file was underexposed, but the image came to life in post.



Canon 1D Mark IV, 600mm + 1.4x, f/5.6, 1/2000, ISO 500, manual exposure, hand held

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the wing position and sharpness in this flight image. It really shows the red shoulders too. Great image Doug!

[Chris Kotze]

Excellent in flight capture well exposed and great colours

[thijs broekkamp]

Nice pose of the bird, lighting is also perfect. Could be a bit sharper.

[Ben_Sadd]

Very nice looking bird. I do think it shows that it was underexposed and that you have opened up the underwings, but not greatly so.

In addition to the bird's shoulders being red, I am sure yours were sore after hand-holding the 600+1.4!!

[stuart wanuck]

lovely capture is that the real red?

[Doug Brown]

lovely capture is that the real red?

Yes that's the real red. If you look in Sibley's, the California version of the Red-Shouldered Hawk has much more red than the one seen in the eastern US.

[John Guastella]

Beautiful capture with wonderful wing detail. Seems very clean for an image that was originally underexposed. I might consider cropping a bit tighter on the right, but that's purely subjective as I like tight crops.

Agree with Thijs that it could be sharpened a bit more.

John

[wendell westfall]

Beautiful, and -- understandably -- (to my eye) a bit soft.

[Haim Ziv]

Beautiful flight pose. Love the spread wings. I agree with the comments about need a bit sharper.

[Arthur Morris]

You could not ask for a better pose for underwing detail but would agree on a lack of critical sharpness as presented....

[John Hawkins]

I'd take this in my collection any day. Great pose and colors. Who could get it any sharper handholding 600mm with 1.4? Thanks for sharing, John

[Mike Tracy]

Perfect text book pose showcasing his markings. They are nowhere near this red in these parts.

[Doug Brown]

Here's a complete re-processing job. Any better? The RAW file is quite sharp. The problem is that it's underexposed and lightening the image introduces noise. Sharpening accentuates noise. It's all about striking the right balance.

[Arthur Morris]

Light years better.... But only if you like stunning.

[Doug Brown]

Light years better.... But only if you like stunning.

Thanks Artie! And everyone else too. I appreciate honest critique, and I didn't have this image quite right.

[James Salywoda]

The repost is stunning Doug your rework put the finishing touches on it. Fantastic Image!!!

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks Artie! And everyone else too. I appreciate honest critique, and I didn't have this image quite right.

Hey, honest but as gentle as possible. Any luck on a place for Thanksgiving Lunch in ABQ?