First impressions can be deceiving.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Ten days ago I watched as this young Ferruginous Hawk took off from a high, rocky outcrop in an obvious attempt to capture prey out on the flats. ‘His’ attempt was unsuccessful and this photo was taken on his return trip to a different spot on the same outcrop, part of which can be seen at lower left.
In this photo his arched lower back and flared tail are indicators that he’s already beginning to flare and slow down in preparation for landing.
If you’re like me, the out-of-focus outcrop at lower left looks like it’s in the background (behind the bird rather than in front of him) but looks can be deceiving. It’s actually in the foreground. How do I know?
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I know because two shots later in the burst he disappeared behind it rather than flying in front of it.
This time, rather than landing on top of the outcrop where he’d been when he took off, he landed behind the top of it where I couldn’t see him. It was at that point that I left him and drove on down the road to look for other birds.
I was impressed that my R5 managed to keep him in focus with him flying at speed, with both the background and the foreground this close to him, and with so little of him showing behind the foreground rocks. I doubt my previous camera could have done that, at least with me at the controls.
Ron
Trompe l’oeil strikes again!
That second photo just bugs my eyes or more likely brain!
I know what you mean! After seeing the first one it throws my brain for a loop.
The hawk just looks annoyed to me in that first image.
I think it’s more like concentration, Arwen. Combined with the perpetual raptor “scowl” caused by their overhanging brow ridge.
Oh dear, I guess I will have to watch — nay, abandon — my use of “awesome,” which I’m sure is how I’ve responded to your images on more than one occasion. So, he’s a great-looking raptor and I appreciate your excellent capture as he cools his jets coming in for a surprise landing! 😉
PS — earlier this morning I got repeated “internal server error” messages trying to access FP, figured it would eventually be resolved and glad it did.
Chris, please don’t tweak your use of words just because of my selection of words I won’t use. We all have our preferences and that’s the way it should be.
Yes, I had some problems with my blog earlier today. Hopefully they’re now fixed.
That IS awesome. A word that I never use either. And amazing. And rather a lot of other superlatives. I was definitely fooled, which is often an easy job, but still…
Thanks, EC. As far as I can tell, you’re fooled less often than most.
Beautiful shot of a beautiful hawk. Don’t have them in the neighborhood. Usually have to drive a couple hours out to more remote places to see one, and even then they are few and far between. Really appreciate you sharing.
Michael, “few and far between” is pretty typical for this species. Even in the places I go I rarely see them and this was the first one in many months.
“ …arched lower back and flared tail”. Very perceptive. I wouldn’t have noticed it.
I’m thinking that has to be some sort of optical illusion, but no amount of staring puts the Hawk in back of the rock. Good thing you got a shot of him flying behind it or I might have thought Ron was a bit confused.
That the focus remained locked on the subject is totally rad. I, too, would never use the hackneyed “awesome”.
The mushroomers out here always go on forays for some reason; gathering, hunting, collecting, not so much, although it’s all those things.
Lyle, there you are! You have a Gravatar (avatar)!
“Good thing you got a shot of him flying behind it or I might have thought Ron was a bit confused”
I know. I’d never make a claim like that, that looks so far-fetched, without evidence to back it up.
Another one I don’t use is “cool”. Never have.
Gorgeous Hawk. I’ve only seen them at a distance, so I enjoy getting a good look. Beautiful image!
Thanks, Kathryn. I don’t see them often so it gets my attention when I do.
I love that first shot–the light on his face and intense look in his eyes plus the bokeh. I’m glad to hear the R5 is working out so well for you. I know it was a big commitment not only to buy it but also to learn the intricacies of making the most of its features. Credit goes to you for making that leap of faith and then putting in the work.
Thanks, Linda. Believe it or not I’m still ‘learning’ the R5.
My first thought in viewing #1 was that he would be flying in front of it and for sure would not be landing on it. Definitely was fooled as he flew behind it. Love that focused determined look in his eye in the first photo. Kudos to Kris for making notice of the foray. Read right though it without notice, but it is truly a word not often used. I know the word and its meaning, but doubt that I have ever used it. Also glad both of you mentioned that grossly misused and overused word “amazing.” I try my best to never use it.
Everett, I was fooled too. And I was THERE when it happened.
I’m impressed with the R5’s ability to lock on and keep him there! Beautiful hawk! Wonderful detail of his ventral side…….. 🙂
Thanks, Judy. I was impressed too. And surprised.
Besides the (usually ) stunning bird photography, another thing I enjoy daily
about your blog is the vocabulary–varied and interesting –that you employ
in your descriptive passages, like “foray”– a good word that I haven’t seen used for a long while–and never a resort to the tired “awesome”, which would
often be appropriate to your images…….
Much appreciated, Kris. Sometimes I have to look up certain words I use to confirm that my usage of them actually fits their definition. I was pretty sure about “foray” but I looked it up anyway. Better safe than sorry…
I virtually never use “awesome” and haven’t for decades.
First one’s a nice shot. The second one’s an ‘oh, shoot’ grimacey grin but it still makes for fun.
Thanks, Granny Pat. I only included the second photo to document his spatial position.