I’ve had several requests from readers asking me to post some of the clipped shots I took of yesterday’s Rough-legged Hawk taking off. This sequential series of five images is my response to those requests and it includes two additional photos that weren’t clipped.
The hawk was photographed two days ago in Box Elder County in extreme cold (as low as -22° F that morning) and deep snow.
1/5000, f/7.1, ISO 400, Canon 7D, Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM @ 330mm, not baited, set up or called in
Because there’s value in seeing the entire series in the same post I’m beginning with the same image I posted yesterday. Here the hawk is about to take off with a portion of a bird (a wing I think) it had in its talons.
1/5000, f/7.1, ISO 400, Canon 7D, Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM @ 330mm, not baited, set up or called in
At the exact moment of liftoff I was quite disappointed to have clipped a wing. This image might have been my favorite of the bunch if that wing hadn’t been clipped.
1/5000, f/7.1, ISO 400, Canon 7D, Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM @ 330mm, canvas added for composition, not baited, set up or called in
In the next photo the bird was quite close to the top of the frame so I added canvas up there to improve the composition. I don’t like to add canvas but when I do it anyway (which isn’t often) I always disclose what I’ve done.
1/5000, f/7.1, ISO 400, Canon 7D, Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM @ 330mm, not baited, set up or called in
Here the end of the right wing has been more than just clipped – it’s been cut off.
1/5000, f/7.1, ISO 400, Canon 7D, Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM @ 330mm, not baited, set up or called in
And in the final image of the series we’ve lost almost all detail in the setting so the hawk is pretty much isolated against a featureless background.
Despite some obvious flaws I always enjoy seeing a series of sequential shots like this for the continuity of action it provides. It fills in some of the gaps that otherwise have to be provided by my imagination when I see only a single image.
Ron
I’m with you on that almost-favorite shot. And the power of the take-off…Magnificent.
I like them all!
Ron,
Absolutely terrific. If these are your bad shots I have a long way to go. Love looking at your stuff.
Stephen Clayson
What a treat to see this series. The roughies are much less bulky than red tails. They were a new species for me a couple years ago and they are only come down to Madison, WI in the winter. The tiny bill and long britches are arctic adaptations.
My favorite is the second picture, even though the wing is clipped. This one really helps me compare the build of the bird to other hawks I see more often.
Thanks, Pam. The only come to the entire lower 48 in the winter, not just WI (as I suspect you already know). They spend the rest of the year in arctic and subarctic Alaska and Canada. That’s part of the reason I so look forward to their return in the winter. They’re a replacement for the Swainson’s Hawks that leave us and head to South America for our winters.
I like them all, but the only one that is unsalvageable is the “cut off” wing shot. To me, the last image (sans background) is the best. Guess I like the view of the remains of the prey. There is detail in the snow and just a bit of tweaking (contrast) could be additive. Also, I would never know you added canvas to the third image and nor would anyone else unless they were pixel peepers. And, if you were really energetic, there are ways to fix that nicatating (sp?) membrane. Nice series and fun to see the sequence. Again, thanks for your posts Ron.
“To me, the last image (sans background) is the best”
It’s interesting how tastes are different, Frank. I like that shot too but I prefer some of the others because the featureless background seems just a wee bit sterile. Different strokes but I appreciate knowing your thoughts.
I would never “fix” the nictitating membrane in that third photo. Just not my style.
Here in Western Mass I don’t see Roughies. Looking at your images, I am gobsmacked at the detail, coloring and shapes of the underside of it’s wings. So clear, so crisp, so beautiful! Your photos are such a treat! Thank you!
Thanks, Sybby. This species can make the photographer look good.
Why keep the wing from a novice bird watcher.
There’s still some morsels of flesh on it, Stephen. Every little bit counts when it’s this cold.
A real treat to see this bird two days in a row, Ron! Thanks for posting the whole series. Beautiful!
You’re very welcome, Diane.
The clarity and detail you caught of the Roughie more than makes up for any wing clippage or loss of background, in my opinion. There’s a pathos you captured in this series, with the bird hanging onto that tiny morsel of food. I think the 2nd shot is my favorite; it seems to most clearly show the bleakness of the situation and the bird’s determination.
Interesting and thoughtful perspective, Marty. Thank you.
Even with clipped wings, this is a beautiful series of an absolutely gorgeous bird. It’s amazing to see a bird take off, especially in slo-mo, which is essentially what a series of still photos gives.
“especially in slo-mo, which is essentially what a series of still photos gives”
I agree Susan. That’s one of the reasons I like this kind of presentation.
A very beautiful bird…especially like the composition of the first (again) and the third…when you “add canvas), you give us more of an idea of what you’ve actually seen, so I like appreciate it…sometimes whenbsomething is closely cropped, I wonder what’s “outside the box”, what I’m missing….
“I wonder what’s “outside the box”
As do many of us, Patty. That’s a major shortcoming of a tight crop.
Oops didn’t go through than retyped and both went through operator error
Your 3 rd picture is my favorite !! Beautiful !! Love the white snow with the soft browns !!! Your pictures keep me going !!
I like that one too, Marina. A lot. Thanks.
Wonderful – clipped wings be damned! 🙂 Always good to see the action stopped in sequence.
Thanks very much, Judy.
Hey, Ron–Our subjects are often uncooperative and prone to giving us one brief opportunity to pull it all together. I’m glad to see that you decided to post more of these fine shots exhibiting the behavior of your Rough-legged Hawk in winter. Times are hard for them in cold weather with snow cover; this rascal was determined to save the last little scrap to feed upon.
Twice in my life I’ve seen Red-tailed Hawks feeding on road kill and both instances were during times of brutal cold and heavy snow cover. (This comment isn’t directed at your Hawk.) Adding canvas? Since the canvas wasn’t “baited, set up, or called in”, I’d heartily approve of the addition. 🙂 TFS….Mitch
Mitch, On this same morning I saw a different Roughie feeding on road kill (a rabbit). Roughies don’t do it often but when they do it’s usually in winter when food is at a premium. That might be the first time I’ve seen this species on road kill.
Just marvelous Ron!
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.
WOW, beside the fact that Rough-legged Hawks are one of my favorites, thus my bias is showing, these are great shots regardless of wing clip!
However, I see your point about wing clip, but I wouldn’t throw any of these shots away. I particularly like the second to last one showing beautifully the underside of this bird.
-18F here and the sun is shinning!
Too cold for me – staying inside to do some image culling! VBG!
Thank you, Dick. I’ve been a bad boy lately and let my image culling slide. At the moment I have about 6750 photos to cull from the last few weeks and I’m seriously dreading the process.
Bundle up and stay warm – that’s cold!
Yikes! That’s a lot of photo’s and certainly could be overwhelming!
Just please don’t be too quick on the delete key. 😉
Thank you Ron. You are such a perfectionist but it’s very interesting to the rest of us to see the series of shots. I always learn a lot from your blog. Keep up the good work and I hope the temperatures rise. It’s cold in New Mexico too.
Kathy, Don’t get me wrong – I like all these images too, especially as a series. It’s just that if I had my druthers I wouldn’t have clipped any body parts.
It’s warmed up significantly here – it’s +20° right now and they’re actually forecasting significant rain on top of our snowpack later today that could cause flooding. Flooding in January – sheesh!
I agree to some extent but I really enjoyed this series, especially #’s 1 & 3. A bit of clipping doesn’t bother me that much; possibly because I see so much of it in my shots 😊. Perfect shots every time might get boring.
“Perfect shots every time might get boring”
Maybe so but I’d sure like to give it a chance sometime! 🙂
Let’s hope that flooding runs right into the GSL!