Ferruginous hawk

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Yellowboard

Yellowboard

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Got this photo last winter in the southern Sonoran desert. This is the largest hawk in north America and a frequent winter visitor to this area. D500 1/1000 f6.3 ISO 220 180mm

DSC_7252.jpg
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JP Onstwedder said:
Great shot! If you cropped this, I’d give it a bit more space on the lower left, but that being very nit-picky, to be honest. That stare wires really well!
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Thanks JP, it is cropped a little but unfortunately there was no more space on the lower left. But, I agree with your comment. A little more room for the talons would be good to have.
 
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It's a really cool pose. I'd be tempted to crop slightly tighter (mostly crop the top) and brighten the face a little. I'd also try it as a B&W with a bit of contrast - it may or may not look good, but Id try it. My guideline for B&W / Color is if the color isn't adding much to the image, try B&W. In this case, I'm not sure the color is adding as much as the graphic look you have with the pose. B&W might bring this out more - or again, it might look lousy too! Never know until you try.
 
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Steve said:
It's a really cool pose. I'd be tempted to crop slightly tighter (mostly crop the top) and brighten the face a little. I'd also try it as a B&W with a bit of contrast - it may or may not look good, but Id try it. My guideline for B&W / Color is if the color isn't adding much to the image, try B&W. In this case, I'm not sure the color is adding as much as the graphic look you have with the pose. B&W might bring this out more - or again, it might look lousy too! Never know until you try.
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Great suggestions. I'll give it a go
 
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OK, I incorporated advice as best I could (or know how to). I tighten the crop (at the top) and moved the image more towards the center. I brightened the face and tweaked the orange and yellow channels. Then...I tried it in B&W... The original photo is in the lower left corner and, obviously, the upper two images are based on your critiques.

Before and After.jpg
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Beautiful just as it is! You don't get many photo ops like this one and you took great advantage of it.
I had a Ferruginous Hawk fly right behind my house 2 days ago... early arrival in southern Oregon... rare according to eBird. I like their scientific name: Buteo regalis... they are definitely regal. Below are the flight shot and one from 1.5 yrs. ago perched on a tree in our yard. Not as spectacular as yours, but I was happy.
feha ts.jpg
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feha 3.jpg
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I apologise in advance if this suggestion is sacrilegious in this forum (I am VERY new here!) With the lovely red and yellow colours in the bird, the use of complimentary colours of light blue /cyan for a replacement background would make the bird really pop. This looks like perfect subject to try it anyway. I love the "Raptor Attitude" shown in the pose.
 
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