Inspiring Photo: Hawk #12712570

Hawk

Uploaded: January 26, 2012 13:38:23

Description

1/400 f5.6 ISO 500 400mm

Exif: F Number: 5.6, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/400 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 500, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 400.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Comments

Michael Kelly January 26, 2012

I would be grateful if any of you could identify this hawk definitively. It is either a Cooper's or a Sharp-Shined. They are very similar looking hawks and it is very difficult to tell the difference between them. This one is at our house, where we see him, at least once a month. We often find the results of his meals in the yard. His favorite food seems to be quayle, but I believe he gets doves on occasion too.

Here uis another view. #1439339

Stephen Shoff January 26, 2012

looks like Cooper's Hawk to me. chest pattern of adult. short legs. round tail. Your fron picture clearly shows unequal length tail feathers

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/AboutBirdsandFeeding/accipiterIDtable.htm #9948749

Joan E. Hoffman January 26, 2012

I actually have no idea, but wonderful shots of him Mike. What a stunning, regal looking fellow! #9948961

Jeff E Jensen January 26, 2012

Beautiful, Mike! #9949034

Aimee C. Eisaman January 26, 2012

He's stunning! I love large birds for some reason...esp. owls and hawks. Fantastic detail even in the feathers. In your first shot the branches in the background look odd to me. Probably the DOF along with editing. I wonder if it would look good with an even tigher crop? :~) #9949050

Teresa H. Hunt January 26, 2012

My bird identifing is limited to "Oh what a pretty bird" :)

These are both really great photos. I love the detail you captured in the feathers. #9949267

Teresa H. Hunt January 26, 2012

I ment "identifying" . . . . can we say spelling challenged #9949270

Carla Capra Anderson January 27, 2012

great shots. b/g green = awesome. agree w/aimee = branches n crop. feathers/eye great detail. nice #9950405

Michael Kelly January 27, 2012

Thanks Stephen. I am leaning towards the Coopers also, but I'm still not absolutely sure. The Coopers is a lot rarer than the sharp shinned. I sent these pictures into the site and have to see if we get a response.

Thank you Joan and Jeff.

Aimee the background is my neighbor’s hedge and it is about 50 feet away from the bird. I will give it a try with a tighter crop and post real soon.

Thanks Teresa and Carla.
#9950572

Rita K. Connell January 27, 2012

definitely a cooper hawk, it looks like the cousin to one that is in my backyard alot. I wish he would snack on a few squirrels...!!

I agree with Aimee I find the branches a distraction because they look alittle strange. but a great capture and details is very nice. It was nice of him to sit and pose for you. #9950688

Michael Kelly January 27, 2012

And the new version. #9950691

Dale Hardin January 27, 2012

I'm with Teresa on the identification. "Pretty bird" is about it. Nice shot Mike and I like the edits. Would still like to see a bit more difinition though, with a bit of sharpening and a levels tweak. #9950994

Mario Rocafuerte January 27, 2012

Definitly it's a pretty bird.. but the composition doesn't work.. my suggestion #9951066

Joan E. Hoffman January 27, 2012

I have to admit, I quite like Mario's suggestion... it really makes the hawk shine! #9951222

Beth Spencer January 27, 2012

I like your edited version. I have no idea what kind of hawk this is, my husband thinks it might be a Coopers Hawk.
#9951525

Dale Hardin January 27, 2012

Mike, I prefer your edited version because of the composition. The branch offers a nice diagonal and at the same time not only reveals his environment but shows the tools of his trade (the talons) which enhances the overall image of his species. #9951706

Aimee C. Eisaman January 28, 2012

The edit looks great! Really brings the attention in to the bird without sacrificing the environment. :~) #9951977

Joan E. Hoffman January 28, 2012

Dale brings up a very good point there, and have to admit that I would be loath to give up the perch and talons if I were editing this. I do like Mario's version as well though. #9952355

Stephen Shoff January 28, 2012

Mario's crop is good, but it made me realize you'd used a vertical pano crop in your cropped version. I think Mario's idea cropped not quite so tightly and using a normal 2:3 ratio cropped just below the talons might be a good compromise.

I really like emphasizing the soft detail and texture of the head/shoulder portrait as a second version of the same image. #9952621

Stephen Shoff January 28, 2012

I really like emphasizing the soft detail and texture of the head/shoulder portrait as a second version of the same image. #9952623

Sue C. Cole January 28, 2012

Mike, I really like Aimee's crop version a lot. Do think it may be a tad soft on detail though, perhaps Dales suggestion are worth trying. I really love the second photo of this amazing bird. #9952803

Michael Kelly January 29, 2012

Thanks for all the input everyone. Mario, I like the tight version that you have shown, but I am afraid the pixels won't allow it. I did give it a try but it gets pretty ugly, so I think I need to go with a wider view.

The reason I went with the vertical pano, is that I wanted to keep his tail in the photo. It may be that that is not a necessary item in the shot and I may try to compromise suggested by Stephen.

Aimee's suggestion does include sharpening and a levels adjustment suggested by Dale. I am not sure why you're seeing it still soft, Sue. I will give it a try with Stephen's suggestion and add a bit of high pass to see if that will fix the softness issue. Will repost soon.
#9954041

Michael Kelly January 29, 2012

Another attempt
#9954408

Stephen Shoff January 29, 2012

Outstanding!

I'm always conflicted when I see highly sharpened bird images that pick each filament out in a feather. They are awe-inspiring but not quite true-to-life. You have to be looking really close up to see that detail on most of the feathers. (I have a neighbor with a Yellow Amazon Parrot, 2 Cockatoos, and one cockateil.) To me the sharp but soft texture of the wings looks natural. The realistic detail shows up in the head, the edges of the breast feathers, and the feet. This one's ready to publish, Mike. #9954720

Debbie E. Payne January 29, 2012

Cooper's Hawk or just "Michael's Hawk - this last one is my favorite. It takes something of Mario's suggestion but not bringing him in quite as tight puts the eye in a better place and I like some of the negative space around him. I am glad that you cloned out the extra branches as per Aimee's suggestions. Such a lovely bird and great editing, Michael. Good to be back but I have lots of editing to do. #9954730

Teresa H. Hunt January 30, 2012

Your edit looks amazing Mike :) #9956406

Sue C. Cole January 30, 2012

Outstanding edit Michael:) #9956658

Aimee C. Eisaman January 31, 2012

This crop is good too...pick which one you like best I say. :~) #9957401

Peter W. Marks January 31, 2012

The sharp-shinned and the coopers hawks are very similar but the latter has quite a bit larger wingspan i.e. 28" compared with 21" for the sharp-shinned but it is the rounded tail of the coopers which is the most noticable feature as Stephen mentioned. #9957899

Ellen H. Robertson January 31, 2012

I really like the last crop.Beautiful capture.

Do not know hawks, and I fed the birds last year and created a restaurant for a unknown breed of a big hawk. Problem was he wanted more variety and came after my jack russell while I was standing there, I could almost touch his wing. #9958199

Michael Kelly January 31, 2012

Thanks everyone, I sure appreciate it. I'm pretty sure this is a Cooper's. I sent a copy of the pictures to the website that Stephen provided and they identified it as a Cooper's.

I decided to go ahead and submit the last post. Have to see how the judges view it.

Peter they all look big to me, especially when you see them fairly close. So I can't tell the difference in size but I do agree the rounded tail is probably the most telling feature here.

Oh my gosh Ellen, that is a little bit scary. When Mac was a puppy, he was very small. We had more than Hawk, give him the once over.
#9958232

Ellen H. Robertson January 31, 2012

yeah, Mike it was very scary. He would sit on my neighbors garage and scope my yard, and I am in a subdivision. I hadto stay with her the whole time she was out. I do not think he could have gotten my little tub over the fence, but his talons would have done major damage. #9958251

Michael Kelly January 31, 2012

Yup Ellen that's what scarred us too. Still does a little but Mac is full grown and weighs 20 lbs so I don't worry too much now. #9958358

Ellen H. Robertson February 01, 2012

I have not seen the hawk this year, but our winter has been MILD so far, and I guess he has enough of his natural prey. And I am not providing him with a restaurant by not feeding the birds. #9958898

Rita K. Connell February 01, 2012

sorry I am late getting back to this one. your last was spot one and congrats with the EP.

I personally like having the hawk around he keeps our squirrel population down. #9959120

Merna L. Nobile February 27, 2012

CONGRATULATIONS! It’s great to know you have something new to smile about and a special reason to be proud.
Merna
#10008627

Dale Hardin February 27, 2012

WTG Mike! Congratulations on a superb capture. #10009235

Teresa H. Hunt February 27, 2012

Congrats Mike!!! #10009644

Joan E. Hoffman February 27, 2012

Missed this one.... and even thought about it, and why wasn't it there.... but it was! Well done Mike! #10009661

Aimee C. Eisaman February 28, 2012

Glad the hawk got some much deserved recognition...congrats on your Phinalist! :~) #10011840

Michael Kelly February 28, 2012

Thank you all most kindly. Thanks to all who responded on the type of Hawk, also. It is definitely a Cooper's Hawk, and a real beauty. We love having him around. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your comments and input. #10011937

Beth Spencer February 28, 2012

Congratulations on a Well Deserved One!! #10012410

Debbie E. Payne February 28, 2012

See how good you made this beautiful hawk look, Michael. No wonder he hangs out around your house. Kidding aside, this is a great nature image! Congrats on the Finalist. #10012434

Ellen H. Robertson February 28, 2012

Congrats. Beautiful capture!! #10012540

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