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Raptor
Raptor
trevytrev


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Free Study 2009-03 (Advanced Editing VII)
Camera: Canon EOS-40D
Lens: Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS
Date: Mar 28, 2009
Aperture: f/6.3
ISO: 1000
Shutter: 1/500
Galleries: Nature, Birds
Date Uploaded: Mar 31, 2009
[Apr. 7th, 2009 11:54:09 PM]

This is a wild redtail hawk that was extremely kind to me for a bout 45 min. It was one of those days that I figured I wouldn't get any good pics b/c it was pouring down rain, but I decided to go out anyway in hopes that it would stop raining....well it didn't but I was rewarded with one of my better subjects I've shot in the wild. She was extremely kind to me, allowing me to follow her around a small area as she flew from tree to tree scooping an open field. She perched at eye level on many occasions, letting get within 10 feet of her. She really just accepted that I was there and wasn't going to mess with her, she was an amazing bird.

I watched her snatch what I believe were frogs out of the rain soaked field on a few occasions, very cool.

This is the same hawk that I entered in the Rock Song Title challenge and in the Fauna Challenge . Personaly the fauna challenge shot is my fav since you can see her shaking off the rain but this one poised to do better in score, oh well.

Thanks to all for the comments and votes, truly a magnificent bird and day for me, these shots are why I dig photography, the unexpected interaction with such a beautiful creature. Cheers.

Statistics
Place: 6 out of 475
Avg (all users): 6.8056
Avg (commenters): 7.8750
Avg (participants): 6.7568
Avg (non-participants): 6.9697
Views since voting: 3019
Views during voting: 267
Votes: 144
Comments: 16
Favorites: 7 (view)

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AuthorThread
Canon EOS-7D
Tamron AF 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Aspherical(IF)Macro
 05/07/2009 11:35:17 PM
fantastic image and the way you seemed to commune with her is even more so!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D700
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
 05/07/2009 11:10:29 PM
Wow. What an awesome shot. Great stuff.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/08/2009 04:32:50 PM
Bird master strikes again
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
 04/08/2009 01:17:37 PM
What an amazing opportunity! Reading your description of how she let you follow her around and take photos - I can only dream! I love birds of prey -they are magnificent creatures and your capture of this one in photos is just spectacular!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED
 04/08/2009 07:38:57 AM
This hawk has indeed been very kind to you. Another well done image. Congrats on top 10!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D800
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
 04/08/2009 07:10:49 AM
This bird has been great for you...awesome shot
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D7000
Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4
 04/08/2009 12:27:38 AM
Congrats on a fine shot, and great finish in the FS. Most birds do not like to fly much when they are wet, so maybe that is why she allowed you to get close like that.

Message edited by author 2009-04-08 00:29:26.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
Nikon D2Xs
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II
 04/07/2009 11:52:55 PM
Too early for texture too bad would have worked well!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark II
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM
 04/07/2009 10:56:55 AM
Great stuff... love it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D4s
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
 04/06/2009 02:04:18 PM
Nice capture
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D300
Nikon AF Nikkor 20mm f/2.8D
 04/05/2009 01:29:35 PM
this is my favorite of the challenge
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-1D Mark II
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS
 04/03/2009 09:50:37 PM
I remember this guy from the fauna challenge... I don't blame you for making the most of the time you had with this guy.... they are not easy to get close too. Well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D80
Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5- 5.6G ED DX
 04/02/2009 06:32:46 PM
I like him better in the fauna challenge
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/01/2009 02:24:43 PM
My pick for #1....stunning photo, love the look of the snow falling, so sharp and clear.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D800
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
 04/01/2009 01:42:23 AM
saw another one of these in the Fauna series...great image, but the other one is better :) good luck with both 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III
Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO
 04/01/2009 12:41:23 AM
Almost a painting. I'm curious about your shot settings and processing steps on this. This one is going into my faves list.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
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