plus seeing the details of bird athleticism in my images that happen too fast for me to notice them in real time.
1/1600, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
It was a slow morning for birds yesterday in Tooele County and this Red-tailed Hawk was one of only two birds I photographed in over three hours. The only chance I had for a pleasing shot was at takeoff where I might get lucky and not have wires in the image. One of my continuing goals is to learn to read and anticipate behaviors as a tool for avoiding clipped or cut off body parts at takeoff and that’s something I often preach about here on Feathered Photography. So lets see how I did when this hawk took off.
As soon as the hawk turned on its perch and stood slightly erect to look over the insulator I suspected it would take off to my left which meant it would have to clear both the insulator and the wire. Usually when hawks take off from power poles they take advantage of their elevated position (and save energy in the process) by taking off horizontally or slightly downward. But this bird would have to clear the insulator first which meant it would have to lift its wings to a vertical position in order to get as much lift on the first down-stroke as possible.
If I wanted to avoid clipping wings in that dramatic vertical position I’d need to leave plenty of room above the bird.
1/1600, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
An uncropped version of the same image shows what I was seeing through my viewfinder. Did I leave enough room up top?
1/1600, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Nope, I sure as hell didn’t!
As often as I’ve been in this situation I still make this mistake on a semi-regular basis. When those wings stretch out they really stretch out. Because of all the unattractive hardware I was dealing with I didn’t expect to get an appealing image anyway but I needed the practice and I obviously still do. It would at least have given me some satisfaction to have not… clipped… that… wing!
Ok, on to something else I learned from this hawk. I continue to be amazed at the physical dexterity and athleticism of birds in their strategies for avoiding potential obstructions in flight. Avoiding them typically requires lightning-fast reflexes so we often don’t even notice those reactions in real time. But the camera sometimes reveals what we miss.
1/1600, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Raptors nearly always push off hard with both legs and leave their feet trailing behind for several wing-strokes as they gain momentum before they tuck them under their tail. But this bird had an insulator and wire to go over so as extra insurance that it would have enough room above the wire it brought its left foot forward and prepared to push against the wire if necessary in order to clear it.
Did it actually push off the wire?
1/1600, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
No, it didn’t. But it was prepared for that eventuality if it needed to. This image is so soft I’m embarrassed to include it but it’s good enough to help make my point.
I know I tend to be more interested in minutia like this than many of my readers probably are but all aspects of nature fascinate me and I like seeing these little details that happen so fast I don’t even notice them in the field. The possibility of stumbling across something interesting like this makes reviewing and culling images significantly less painful.
Ron
PS – Photographers may notice that I’m using one of my older 7D’s again instead of the relatively new Mark II. I don’t even want to talk about it until I figure out what’s going on… 🙂
I just love your photography/stories 🙂 You ROCK! And it’s a gorgeous redtail, too! Slowly getting settled.
Thank you, Laura. Welcome to your new home out west!
I am endlessly awed by their athleticism. Loved the ‘just-in-case’ foot pose too.
Minutae fascinates me and I am so glad that you share the details.
Re the clipped wing and Susan Stone’s comment? Sometimes even plants move too fast for me. Clipped petals is even less excusable than clipped wings.
“Clipped petals is even less excusable than clipped wings.”
Gimme a chance, EC. I could probably do that too!
You’re right, don’t mind the softness. at least the softness you are willing to show us. Wonderful shots, Ron.
I’m glad you give us a run-down on your 7D MKII. I have been thinking of getting one, but have delayed based on the trouble you have been having.
So, I’ve decided to save my pennies (G!) for a bigger lens. My 400 w/1.4 ext. just doesn’t fit the bill any more.
Dick, given a choice between a new camera (assuming an older one is working properly) and a high quality lens with longer reach I’d choose the latter EVERY time!
The foot position for take-off is definitely interesting and unexpected. But birds are smart and creative, so to see one take off differently shouldn’t be too surprising. I love the energy in the shot with the clipped wings. Your experiences with clipping body parts even though you are aware of what the birds are probably going to do is enough to keep me using my point and shoot camera and focusing on things that don’t move quite so fast… (like plants). 🙂
Your last sentence made me smile, Susan and that smile one of my first of the day.
Pictures are good!!! ( I have headless ones) And I’m on my 3rd 7d mark 11 and I hate it!!!! Out of focus soft and very noisy at 400 ISO!! I feel your pain. It is sooooo frustrating!!!
Yes, it’s extremely frustrating, Marina.
Beautiful clipped wing and all! Some things we’re “slow learners” on. 🙂 The gymnastics are great! Know the feeling on a malfunctioning camera! 🙁
“Some things we’re “slow learners” on”
Yup, that’s certainly the case for me, Judy. I clipped yet another wing at takeoff (on a VERY spectacular hawk) just over an hour ago…
Ron – about your 7DMII. I also struggle with mine as it never seems to repeatably make sharp images. Since I’ve picked up the 1DX, I’ve only touched the 7DMII on a couple of occasions when I wanted the extra reach and the light was good. AF fine tune adjustments made and still, not as sharp as the 1DX. It sometimes hits and most times does not…with no known cause. Very frustrated with this body. But man do I miss that reach with it. Interested to hear what’s going on with your 7DMII.
I hope to do some more testing today, Zaphir.
Interesting series on my Achilles Heel, Ron. I’m sure I’m getting, I know I’m getting better. I… Damn it, clipped the wings again.
PS- Oh My!
“Oh my” is right, Neil. I’m learning some new cuss words and my vocabulary in that category was already an extensive one.
An Olympic hurdler! Clipped wings, clutter or not, that wing stretch is one fantastic shot! I’m continuously surprised, albeit pleasantly so, by the wingspan of raptors. I’m also amazed at how well they’re able to fold and tuck those wings away when not in use.
“I’m continuously surprised… by the wingspan of raptors.”
So am I, Marty – obviously… 🙂
Fascinating! Thanks…
I’m glad you found it interesting, Alison.