This light morph Swainson’s Hawk challenged my photo gear-swapping technique as I photographed it perched and taking off.
1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I found the bird twelve days ago in Montana’s Centennial Valley as it perched on a fence post that was so old that it was falling apart. I was able to get close for some detailed shots but the hawks tail was hidden and it wasn’t in the mood to pose so…
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
I removed my teleconverter in hopes of getting some flight shots without clipping any body parts if it took off. With the bird smaller in the frame we can see more clearly that the background is the valley itself rather than mottled sky. But as I watched the bird through my lens I realized that I was still so close optically that I’d likely clip wings if the bird launched.
So I switched gear completely and reached for my older Canon 7D with attached 100-400mm zoom lens.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 400, Canon 7D, Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM @400mm, not baited, set up or called in
And wouldn’t you know, even at only 400mm I still clipped both wings when it took off. At least I did it symmetrically… 🙂
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 400, Canon 7D, Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM @400mm, canvas added for composition, not baited, set up or called in
In the next shot in the burst I didn’t leave enough room to the left of the bird so I chose to add canvas there.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 400, Canon 7D, Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM @400mm, not baited, set up or called in
Finally, a shot where I had enough room all-round.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 400, Canon 7D, Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM @400mm, not baited, set up or called in
In this last image the bird is a little tight up top and the right wing is shaded but I liked it anyway.
If I hadn’t been quite so close to the bird I could have stuck with my Mark II and with its faster burst rate I’d likely have two more images of this bird in flight to choose from. Whenever that happens I always wonder what I missed.
Bird photographers are never satisfied…
Ron
I like it when you discuss what you see as wrong with the picture. I learn so much.
What a beautiful bird and a great description of a photographer’s dilemma. Your blog has certainly taught me a great deal about looking closely at nature photos and determining if they could have been done a bit “better”. Learning is usually in the doing. Although I’m not about to pick up a camera when I’m still working on binocular ID skills, I do enjoy noticing when a photo is crystal clear or noticeably soft to my eye.
As for “chunky”, I am descended from a multigenerational line of animal breeders (horses, beef and dual purpose cattle, chickens, dogs) and was taught how to judge an animal’s confirmation and condition from a preschool age. That family training instilled me with “perfect condition” as a bit heavier than many modern vets recommend. Nowdays, you are unlikely to run out of food for a week, the mothers get special, supremely dense nutrition, and animals don’t move around as much as they used to get food. Nevertheless, I still don’t like my dog’s ribs being visible or just under their skin and I certainly did not want to see that in my breeding Jerseys, meat rabbits, European wild-stock sows or the working horses and mules on my KY farm. Plus, some of the “chunky” on a bird is feather condition, indicating good nutrition and ample time to preen appropriately.
Oooh and ahhh. Weight-watchers eat your heart out. Chunky is beautiful. And majestic. And elegant.
Flying is DEFINITELY the super power I would choose if I had my druthers. And I don’t think I would waste it on saving the world either…
“Chunky is beautiful”
For me it becomes more beautiful as time marches on, EC…
Awesome
Thanks, Ellen.
All I can say Ron, these are superb shots! Absolutely beautiful!!
Thank you very much, Dick.
This is a beautiful set of photos. Especially the first one (I like portraits). And there’s definitely something to be said for symmetry. These photos make me think about what it would be like to be able to fly like a bird.
“These photos make me think about what it would be like to be able to fly like a bird.”
That’s an everyday thought for me when I’m in the field, Susan. If only…….
A wonderful series (with the most miniscule clips) of one very well-fed chunk of a bird! Wonder if that bird ever heard of Weight Watchers!!! Love the undercwing feather detail….
You noticed that, Patty – me too. These adults usually seem to be chunkier than the juveniles. In some birds it’s the other way around.
Hi Ron, Your pictures are spectacularly well done. When I have two lens it is always a battle to decide which one in the heat of the moment. Two cameras impossible.
Len, Actually I find having two cameras with attached lenses easier to deal with “in the heat of the moment” than swapping lenses on the same camera. Thank you.
The pictures are great. I noticed a crabby look in the bird’s face. My first thought was “He hasn’t had his morning cup of coffee”
I noticed that grouchy look too, Jean.
Wow, Ron!! You must have been panting hard to keep switching cameras/lenses, get all the shots you got & still have this handsome hawk in frame. Being the seeker of perfection that you are, you are harder on yourself than any of us would be!! This series is beautiful to behold. I so love your photos!!
Jo Ann, I’m not sure I was panting but the camera gear was sure flying around in my pickup cab as I switched back and forth. Usually when I’m doing that the bird picks that time to fly off so I should be grateful that didn’t happen.
Beautiful shots – that’s always the way of it and they sure don’t wait around for us to “group our poop” 🙂 I have mixed feeling about the hawks since they’ve taken a couple of chickens here – ah, nature! 🙂
“Group our poop” – love that euphemism, Judy. I’ll probably steal it sometime in the future… Thank you.
Me too. I have frequently had occasion to use the coarser alternative.. Thanks, Judy!
Simply awesome shots Ron!
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.