Red-tailed Hawk Autumn Patrol

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

Website-RTHA-Byxbee-October 12, 2025-1.jpg
Website-RTHA-Byxbee-October 12, 2025-1.jpg2000Ă—1334 1.42 MB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

Red-tailed Hawk patrolling a parched meadow.

Specific Feedback

Would love any feedback on exposure and color. Also I have cloned out some branches minimally but have left the ones on the bottom right.

Technical Details

Camera: Canon R5
Lens: RF 100-500 F4.5-7.1 at 500mm
Settings: 1/4000, f/7.1, ISO 1600
Post-processing in Lightroom

Critique Template

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Vision and Purpose:
Conceptual:
Emotional Impact and Mood:
Composition:
Balance and Visual Weight:
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3 Likes
2

Very nice!! Wonderful detail and tonalities in both the bird and BG. Excellent shadow detail in the wings. I love the composition with detail in the grasses in the lower right balancing the bird. No suggestions!!

1 Like
3

Wonderful in flight image, Gaurav. The amount of golden light has brought the best in the hawk and grassland area in the scene. The detail is fine enough overall to even see the I.D. band on the right ankle location… :+1:

1 Like
4

Beautiful image of this bird, Guarav. The sky looks a little pale, but it could easily be that way if there was a fair amount of moisture in it-we often get that sort of sky around here (Pacific Northwest). Detail and wing position are great and the grassy foreground works very well. I certainly see no need for further clean-up.

Did you get enough images at different angles to reconstruct the band number? The return rate on bands is quite low and usually from dead birds, so they love it when a photographer can get one and report it.

2 Likes
5

Dennis, thank you for the feedback.
I can make out the first few digits of the band - 416 possibly with a 7 after that.
Do you know what’s the best place to report it. Right now USGS website says that they are not looking at reports due to the federal funding lapse.

6

Excellent capture of the hawk. I like the low perspective and the inclusion of the environment. I like the softness of the background and how the hawk pops against it.

1 Like
7

Unfortunately, that’s the repository. Probably have to wait until the shutdown is over. (Rant deleted)

1 Like
8

Really nice capture in flight. Always love soft colors!

1 Like
9

Beautiful image Gaurav. Love the softness of the surroundings and sky. Fine details on the bird with nice wing positions. Well done.

1 Like
10

Thank you all for your kind comments. Thank you for the editor’s pick too.

11

Congratulations on the EP! This is a lovely image and I look forward to seeing more of your work!

1 Like
12

This is a very well balanced image. I like the way you put it together. Nice color, great details. Not much more to say. Good work.

1 Like
13

Love the way you handled the color, and contrast on this. Really nice. I actually think it would be even better with all the more in-focus branches removed.

1 Like
14

A beautiful photo of this hawk. The detail and the spot on focus of the eye is great. We tend to have them more in the fall/winter here in eastern WA and one year they seemed to be on every electric pole and tree, but lately not as much. Always fun to find one close enough to be able to get that eye in focus. Excellent!

1 Like