A falcon holding on and a buzzard staring me down

[MikeA]

After working a lot these last weeks (to earn my equipment ) and holidays with the family, finally some free time for myself and my hobbies. The light was not really good this late afternoon but I got a few raptor shots I am fairly happy about - what do you think?

Best,

Mike

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[Icarus]

Both very nice captures. The light isn't a problem IMO.

 

[Karl]

Mike, did you build the raptor perch? I put 3 of them around my house and I've had American Kestrel, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, and probably Barn Owls at night since they nest in a shop building 100 yds. from the house.
Those aren't the easiest ID's but I think a Merlin and a Red-shouldered Hawk (both look like juveniles).
Both are nice photos. I would probably try a sky replacement with the new PS feature and tone it down a lot so it looks real.

 

[MikeA]

Mike, did you build the raptor perch? I put 3 of them around my house and I've had American Kestrel, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, and probably Barn Owls at night since they nest in a shop building 100 yds. from the house.
Those aren't the easiest ID's but I think a Merlin and a Red-shouldered Hawk (both look like juveniles).
Both are nice photos. I would probably try a sky replacement with the new PS feature and tone it down a lot so it looks real.

Hi Karl,

Building a perch is a good idea, I will try that - but no, I went by car to about 20 km North of where I live in Austria to the Czech border to a region called the Green Belt today. It is a great nature area because it used to be the iron curtain and it is still uninhabited to a high extent. I will try out the new PS feature too, thank you for the tip.