The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Last week I came across this Eastern Buzzard as it was eating a 4-foot Tiger Keelback which it had just killed. I drove up the road to about 40 yards, but didn’t go closer so as not to spook the bird. It slit the reptile with its beak to expose the flesh and make it more digestible, but still swallowed everything, chunk by chunk, down to the tip of the tail. When it flew off, not a single piece of snake remained as evidence of the meal.
Specific Feedback
I wish I could have got closer for a sharper shot, but at least I was able to rest the lens on the car wing mirror, as I stayed in the car. Is the bird too soft for your liking?
Technical Details
D500 + 150-600mm 1/640 f6.3 ISO 5000
I had to crop in a lot and remove bits and pieces from the busy bamboo background. Used the graduated filter in LR and Nik Sharpener Pro in PS to maximize detail in the bird.
Critique Template
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Its a great photo, and I do not think it is soft at all. I am not a wildlife photographer at all, but I did learn long ago, that if the eye of an animal is sharp, then its a good photo of that animal. That’s the extent of my knowledge on animal photography.
Mike, this is a very nice catch, even if it is at a long distance.
I don’t understand your title though - I don’t see any red on the beak or claw. The pose is excellent, and the snake very cool.
The large view shows evidence of your large crop and the noise control has rendered parts of the buzzard a little smoothe.
Nontheless, a worthwhile image!
Thanks, Sandy. I had doubts myself about the title (Tennyson’s original was I think “red in tooth and claw”) - but it may be too late to change now. You can see some red on the claw, and there certainly was at times red on the beak too, but let’s just imagine it here! I appreciate your comments, as always.
Hi Mike, very nice behavioral catch. Love seeing this hawk feeding on prey such as a snake. I do see signs of the large crop in the largest image size - bird is rather soft. Still a fine capture of a great moment.
Big crops have to be managed in post processing very carefully. Evidence of a big crop and lots of noise suppression are evident. You may want to try to increase the size of image (upscale), then use a very conservative bit of noise suppression followed with your other methods of post processing. Don’t crop as much for you final step and you might be surprised at what you get. Pose is excellent and well worth getting this shot. Well done…Jim
Thanks for the tips, @Jim_Zablotny. I’ve followed them and here is another version as a result. I do think I prefer the bird to be less strongly sharpened now, with the wider crop. It looks more natural.
I’ve posted a rework with your suggested modifications at the top.
Hi Mike. An excellent catch with lots of natural history interest. This bird is very close to our Red-tailed Hawk. Your repost is a big improvement and when viewed from a respectful distance would look excellent as a print. Sometimes just a bit of microcontrast boost makes a nice finishing touch on these large crops.
