Rough legged & Red Tails

[BradM]

In my attempts to get some decent flight shots of the Rough Legged I think I am getting closer.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y259/Bradklr/roughleggedflight.jpg


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y259/Bradklr/roughleggedstoop2.jpg


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y259/Bradklr/roughleggedstoop.jpg


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y259/Bradklr/roughleggedgrass.jpg


And a few Red Tail were hunting the grass as well

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y259/Bradklr/redtailgrass2.jpg


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y259/Bradklr/redtailgrass.jpg


And another posed on a post for me early this morning, to bad I had some oof blades of grass but I only had a small hole to shoot through this time.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y259/Bradklr/redtailnovpost2.jpg

[T.D.]

I'd say you're there! Excellent series.

#3 is quite spectacular.

Well done all the way around!

[canonloader]

Wow Brad, that Rough Legged in #3 is a beautiful bird. Classic pose.

[SAS_TDS]

Great shots, i am trying hard to get some good hawk photos

[Najo]

Getting closer! Great shots. They have been scarce in my neck of the woods this year!

[chubri777]

I think you've nailed it. Awsome photos!

[plsurfer]

Great series!! #3 is excellent....

[ajosteve]

Just beautiful as always Brad...love the legs on those hawks, looks like they are wearing pants...I've never seen this bird myself. You have a great place there to shoot these wonderful birds...steve

[pttenn]

Love 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. :) Wow, I'd say you have arrived also, wonderful clear shots! Were you in a blind??
Karen

[cool breeze]

They're all great shots. If I had to pick, #3 is the bomb!

[BradM]

Thanks all, I am getting close to getting the rough legged shot I want but not quite there yet. This species is rather uncommon in my area so to have had a couple weeks of shooting them has been a real joy and pain if you know what I mean, maybe get one more day where I can have some good light so I'll try again.

I was not shooting from a blind but from the front seat of my car in a national wildlife refuge.

btw I am seeing some issues in the 2nd shot that I don't see in my version I uploaded, think I will have to upload another to try to get rid of the haloing and noise I am seeing, think it was a compression issue maybe.

[DaiWelsh]

All great shots but 3 is awsome.

Dai

[DonE]

Very nicely done. You are tack on with these shots.

[Samdiver74]

Very Nice Brad, I agree with Dai as well for Number 3, apart from that twig being a distraction but DOF is spot on able to see both sides of wingtips feathers in great detail.
Which lens was this?
Judging by 3's distinct bokeh pattern I would say 100-400.

[Viky]

Amazing series. I just love 3 & 5!

[BradM]

Very Nice Brad, I agree with Dai as well for Number 3, apart from that twig being a distraction but DOF is spot on able to see both sides of wingtips feathers in great detail.
Which lens was this?
Judging by 3's distinct bokeh pattern I would say 100-400.

Thanks Allan, it was the 100-400mm, all of the above were shot with it. I considered removing the stem, but I am always hesitant to manipulate the enviornment though maybe I will work one up without it.

[Wayne Wood]

[quote=BradM;4373394]In my attempts to get some decent flight shots of the Rough Legged I think I am getting closer.

Your kidding me right , these are awesome , I would # 3 and # 6 are really sweet and would look good printed as big as you can ;)

[HWP]

You're getting these at 300mm? Or is it not reporting right? Regardless these are fantastic shots Brad!! Either this hawk is completely oblivious to you or he doesn't care. Thanks for sharing these!!

Henry

[ngannet]

Excellent job, especially #3, love the light through the wing. The Red Tail shots are sharp as a tack.

[BradM]

You're getting these at 300mm? Or is it not reporting right? Regardless these are fantastic shots Brad!! Either this hawk is completely oblivious to you or he doesn't care. Thanks for sharing these!!

Henry

No it is reporting correctly, they become oblivious to me as I will park and just wait. The R-L shots were probably over a 4 hour period before they came up close enough to warrant clicking the shutter, the R-T was a bit longer.

But I spent the time watching herons, egrets, harriers and coyotes hunt and dozens of cars just zoom on by not seeing the wildlife, and I tried to capture some shots of field mice & voles scrurrying through the grass. Quick little buggers, I'll get some shots one day.

[Sindri Skulason]

Wow...great series. The third shot is simply perfect. Outstanding work Brad. :-)