The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I was on my way to my bird blind one morning last summer when I saw a Red-shouldered Hawk on a branch with what I thought was prey. I was a bit far away even with only 700 mm but managed to slowly creep a little closer. I finally realized he was trying to beat a stick into submission. He worked on it for at least 5 minutes, while my arms were falling off handholding, and finally flew off with a piece about 4-5" long. I’m still scratching my head.
Specific Feedback
All comments welcome!
Technical Details
Canon R5, 100-500 + 1.4X at 700mm, f/9.5 (wide open), 1/1000 sec, ISO 6400. Minimal tonal tweaks in LR, thanks to cloudy-bright light. Into PS for Topaz Denoise and cropping to about 50%. Some extremely minor BG cleanup.
Critique Template
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Great set of images, Diane. You captured the action very well. I really like the muted tones in the entire sequence. Looks like this is a juvenile hawk - it was probably playing with that stick, maybe even practicing for nesting season.
I find this behavior to be very playful. It makes me happy to watch this. We rarely see animals or birds just playing particularly when they are by themselves. These are all well captured and tell a great story. But I do like the first and the third the best. The first shows the bird actually finding the branch on the log. He has great intent to pluck this little branch from the log and eventually play with it. It shows determination. The third one is just a beautiful close up view showing the undersides of his wings while holding firmly to his plaything. He could be using it for nesting material but I prefer to think of it as him just playing and having a grand old time.
Terrific set of images Diane and well done to hand hold your gear for as long as it took to get these images.
A very cool series, Diane. It is interesting to see this behavior. Either it was playing or new just what it wanted and how to get it. Maybe it was a Valentine’s Day present? (Hey they’ don’t have to keep our calendar).
Taking the image singly, the second is probably the weakest because the bird is flying away, but it’s necessary to the series to figure out what’s going on and this is all about the series, not the individual images. All the images are technically excellent.
Very cool sequence. I think I like the last one best. Also, I would be tempted to replace the stick with a coiled, and about to strike snake, just for the fun of it. To me, all’s fair in imagery… as long as I admit the trickery. Your comment about the challenge of hefting your camera for a while reminds me of taxing my muscles yesterday while waiting , and hoping for a red-tail to take off. I forgot all about the physical challenge when my patience eventually paid off. I typically have my rig on a monopod but I was going hand held out on the road trip.
Excellent close up images of the hawk. I like the last one with the wing position and the talons. Very interesting behavioral sequence to have seen and photographed.
Thanks, @glennie, @S_Govindarajan, @David_Haynes, @Dennis_Plank, @Dave_Douglass and @Allen_Brooks! It could be he was just playing, or practicing combat. (Or venting some sort of frustration.) And maybe a juvie, a little more tolerant of people. He had to be aware of me and kept sort of slightly turning away as though annoyed by my presence.
Great series Diane of this intriguing behavior! Definitely makes us wonder what this bird is up to. All the images work well together. The third is probably my favorite - seems to be doing a victory stance .
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