Wow, what a bird. Well exposed, fantastic bg and nice matching perch.
I like the comp. but find it a tad tight.
There's some clone (?) mark on the right edge of the frame. I also see a slight halo on the head and tail perhaps from sharpening.
Nice image overall. Thanks for sharing.
Very nice. Handsome bird, indeed. I like the proud pose and the soft light. Terrific head angle. was some fill flash used? if so, well done. Terrific image. Thx for sharing.
What an imperious gaze, striking pose, handsome fellow all the way around.
Good points by others.
When I first saw it, since it was taken in the shade, I assumed you used flash. Is that correct?
Yes to some halos, overall lovely background, could loosen the crop a smidge below and right, but I am OK with it as is.
Pieter, nice capture of this beautiful bird. Love the HA and smooth background. I agree with Alan on toning down the mid-tones and little less sharpening.
You do not see these in such a clear position very often, one of my favourite burds due to the subtle colouring, except for the legs where the slight oversharpening is most noticeable
Agree that a little more room is needed in RHS bottom corner.
Fantastic image Pieter beautiful bird and excellent detail. I'd give it slight mid tone adjustment it looks as if you could back off just a bit on the sharpening as it looks to have plenty of detail. Well Done!!!
Hi Pieter, great to get him in the open. The perch looks like a broken down tree, and you have captured him nicely at eye level. I like the detail throughout, and the sharpness looks fine ( although Im viewing on my laptop at the moment.) With regards to toning down, I would tone down the BG a fair bit more, and then selecting the goshawk and toning him down a touch.
Thank you James, Stewart and Merwin your comments are appreciated.
Here is the repost where I have incorporated the suggestions - reworked from the RAW. Forgot to mention that I enhanced the catchlight in the eye and removed partialy closed nictitating membrane. I hope this is an improvement so thanks again for the advice.
Have we found out yet whether Pieter used fill flash? I like the adjectives used to describe your bird: imperious, alert, proud. I liked the brightness of the eye in the first version.