Yesterday was one of the best single days for both weather and bird photography I’ve ever had in the Centennial Valley.
1/2700, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
My first photo subject of the day was a very cooperative Swainson’s Hawk that I found only minutes after sunrise as I descended Monida Hill. I got many photos of ‘him’ perched, taking off and in flight but my creaky old laptop makes it difficult to process and post photos so today I’ll only be posting one of them.
I chose to post this one because I like the peekaboo effect. I got another shot almost identical to it but in that one his left eye is just barely hidden by his wing instead of just barely revealed. I think those few pixels make a huge positive difference.
For some reason (there was no water nearby) there were two catch lights in his eye which I found distracting so I removed the smaller one.
As per usual on these trips I’ve had several snafus with the trailer and camping gear. But I’ve been able to overcome each one so at this point I can look at them as just part of the adventure.
Ron
What a fabulous shot! This bird definitely knows something I don’t!
So glad you’re trip is going well. I can’t wait for your debrief once you’re home and have rested. Looking forward to reading about it — snafus and all. 🙂
I am thrilled for you – and look forward to seeing/hearing more in the fullness of time.
Great photo! Glad to hear the weather and birds are cooperating, and the trip is going well.
I’m so glad you got to go on this camping trip. How are your feet holding up?
Beautiful shot of the hawk. Looking forward to more photos of this trip.
A winner on more than one level. The wonderful angular effect of the wings gives the image an iconic feel, and the gaze of the hawk makes it personal.
Love everything about this picture….its head peeking out, wing position and the talons😁
My younger sister had you as a teacher in the late 70’s at South High. I didn’t have the pleasure but heard great things about you. She passed along your website a few months ago and I had the pleasure of seeing birds in a new light. I feed the birds in my backyard but since I live in the outskirts of downtown SLC, I don’t get the variety that you do. I enjoyed this photo and look forward to several more when you return home.
Excellent photo. Just enough of that eye to make for a really interesting shot. Amazed that you can remove a catch-eye in that tiny circle of an eye. Must be Photoshop. With the very basic processing tools I used I could never do that. Have not seen a Swainson’s here so far this year.
Smiling ear to ear! 🙂 Beautiful shot of the peekaboo hawk and glad weather and birds are cooperating even if there are snafus with other equipment. Know this camper hasn’t had a lot of use and “shit happens” – good you were able to overcome them……
Wonderful shot! Glad the weather is cooperating.