Making the best I can out of some bad luck.
Three days ago I posted a single photo of an immature Red-tailed Hawk taken soon after takeoff and said that I’d probably be posting more photos of ‘him’ in the future. I mentioned that I had been unlucky with wing positions that either hid his face or cast shadows on his face but a brief review of the photos suggested that several of them were good enough to be posted, perhaps as a series.
I was wrong.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Only one of my other photos of him appealed to me and this is it. It was taken three images in the burst earlier than the photo I posted three days ago.
I like his flight posture, we have a clear view of his unshaded face, he’s plenty sharp enough and the sagebrush background appeals to me. The exposure on his near-whites and shaded right wing was a difficult one but a little work with the lights and darks during processing helped to mitigate most of those issues.
I was disappointed that so many of my photos of the young hawk were unusable but sometimes that happens when the timing of my shutter matches that of the bird’s wingbeats and repeatedly catches the wings in an undesirable position.
With bird photography, stuff like that comes with the territory.
Ron
PS – Some readers may be curious about what kind of wing positions and resulting shadows I’m talking about.
Here’s an example, taken four photos in the burst prior to the first photo above. I’ve centered the bird in the composition so that we can at least see the rock he took off from.
His head’s in there somewhere.
And here’s proof. I lightened some of the shadows a little to make his head and eye slightly easier to see.
That is such excellent photography. Just fantastic.
Thank you. For both photos. And, particularly cropped, I really, really like your ‘reject’.
Thank you, EC.
Me too!
OK, Mr. Nit-picker, looks like several of us like the “undesirable” shot. 😛 😉
I feel like he’s conjuring up his “Inner Dracula” and I love it! There’s definitely power in those wings as well as his back and tail. Also, the curved edge made by his primaries and secondaries perfectly matches the curve in the very attractive rock below.
I like that rock too, Marty. A lot. I was very disappointed that his wing position messed up the shot where he was taking off from it
My first thought was “peek-a-boo” and then I scroll down to see your very first commenter said the same thing! 😂
Agree with everyone here that even your “not-a-keeper” shots offer something, including unusual (or not easily noted on the fly) wing positions. And, of course, it’s a Red-tailed Hawk! What’s not to love? 😉
Chris, I would have liked that “peek-a-boo” shot a lot more if there’d been light on his face and eye.
I am happy to see you feeling less pain and out and about. It is also nice to see hawks in the area. Are they nesting in some of your favorite haunts yet?
April, there’s a few of them nesting in that area but the nests aren’t in good places for photography. I have hopes for opportunities soon after the youngsters have fledged.
That first photo is stellar – whatever the state of the others! IMHO. I love that you show us the photos that got away… it gives me hope and oh so much good information for my own bird photography! Though I don’t comment all the time I appreciate all the great pictures daily and learn a lot!!
“I love that you show us the photos that got away… it gives me hope and oh so much good information for my own bird photography”
That’s very good to know, Joanne. It kinda puts things in perspective, doesn’t it.
Any photos of Red-tail Hawks are desirable. They give me a close-up of these majestic hawks that I see almost every day.
Good. Thanks, Randy.
Agree with Michael about photo two. Really is a neat photo as the wings come in giving that push and acceleration leaving the rock. And an excellent illustration about the shadows, If you just quickly looked at that photo you would not even notice the head that is buried in the shadows.
“If you just quickly looked at that photo you would not even notice the head that is buried in the shadows.”
Exactly, Everett. When I first looked at that photo I wasn’t sure if his head was just in deep shadow or if it was completely hidden by his wing.
Funny how that goes when trying to catch different wing positions. 2nd photo is still neat even if it wasn’t what you had in mind….. 😉 Cropping it certainly DOES improve the view.
Cacophany of sounds this morning – Red Wing Blackbirds/Grackles/Magpies/Robins fighting of nesting spots/mates/materials and a couple of honkers chiming in……definitely spring…….
I’m jealous of all your birds, Judy. All I’m hearing out there is the very slight sound of soft rain. Probably not enough to help much but at least it’s wet.
I find your unusable photo interesting. His head reminds me of a turtle peeking out of its shell, the primaries and secondaries are clearly displayed along with the coverts, and I like that impossible jumble of toes and talons. Usability is in the eye of the beholder.
“Usability is in the eye of the beholder”
Very good point, Lyle.
Yes, I like the ‘reject’ photo as well. If for no other reason as a study of the wing motion of what appears to be the most forward position of the deep rowing-like action that the bird makes to gain velocity and altitude.
Michael, you’ve stated an excellent rationale for appreciating the second photo.
Yes, so glad to see this. I enjoy seeing the variety of wing positions. Thanks, Ron!
Good. Thanks, Mary.
I understand why the last photo above isn’t desirable for posting, but I still love it and am glad you shared it.
Kind of a near peek-a-boo pose.
Thanks, Mark. I agree – it’s an interesting photo, despite its faults.