Redshouldered Hawk with Hitchhiker

Image Critiques Weekly Challenge
1

SNWRHawkwithHitchhiker.jpg
SNWRHawkwithHitchhiker.jpg1584×2000 752 KB

HawkWasp.jpg
HawkWasp.jpg966×1000 546 KB

Hawk Wasp

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

This young red-shouldered hawk was just thirty feet from the roadway at the Sacramento NWR. It was very patient with us and didn’t move while I shot about fifteen photos. It wasn’t until I got home and looked at the images that I noticed the hitchhiker on the hawk’s side. It didn’t seem to be bothering the hawk, but was kind of weird to see it there.

Specific Feedback

I added some canvas to the right side. I used Gaussian blur on the BG. I used Topaz denoise and sharpen on the cut out of the wasp.

Technical Details

Canon 5D MIII, f8, 1/2000 sec, iso 400, 100-400/1.4TC at 475 mm.

2 Likes
2

Wow the wasp is very cool. Gives me a little shiver, but cool nonetheless. I love the side angle you caught. The perch is pretty great, too. The avian gods smiled on you for this one.

3

Nice framing with the BG shrubbery, and the wasp is a pretty cool catch, too. I’m wondering if a touch of denoise and sharpen on the hawk would remove that little bit of softness. Beautiful bird. I do miss the Sacramento NWR!