Red-tailed Hawk Pair

[TammieO]

A few weeks ago we drove around the southeastern part of Arizona and spotted this pair of Red-tailed hawks on a windmill. I think they were building a nest on the platform. I was quite a distance away beacause it was on private property and had a barbed wire fence.
The second is a 100% crop. The birds don't look very sharp. Camera was on a monopod. I used the single AF point (center). ISO 200, f11, 1/800, 400 mm (100-400mmL). I took multiple shots autofocusing on either bird, autofocusing on the windmill, manual focus and they all look pretty much the same. Anyone have any advice?
Thanks!

[CyberDyneSystems]

It's a great shot,. we don't get many windmills in this neck of the woods,. let alone ones with Hawks nesting :)

You ask for advice? But I'm not sure what else you could do other than getting closer. ;)

[Maz]

I like the first one a lot.
Thanks for sharing.

Maz
http://www.homesteadsforsale.com

[LazyPhotographer]

The first is a VERY cool shot! Keep watching them, it will be so much fun documenting the babies.

[Turbowolf]

Advice - Any or all may be applicable
#1 Longer lens

#2 Add a 1.4 or 2x TC

#3 Use the shutter timer or remote release to avoid any movement due to touching the camera.

#4 Get closer ... a very slow approach may get you better shots. It's going to take time, but every time you are at this site move just a little closer if the property owner will allow. Perhaps he/she would like a nice copy of "their" hawks when you ask for permission to enter the property. Over time they should tolerate you approaching to within about 100 feet or so.

[TammieO]

Thanks for the advice. I think I will be ordering the TC and giving it another try (really would like the 500mm, but...$$$$). Hopefully the hawks will cooperate.

[stoneylonesome]

Cool shots really like the first one

[RJSorensen]

Tammie . . . you have you IS turned off on the mono-pod? A good tripod would help . . . I find the cable release a must at anything over 300mm. I have found that I shoot too slow and that your lens + 1.4 TC will force your min shutter speed to 1/1000. We shoot the same things to some extent and share the same problems. At the long end of the 100-400 I don't think it is just a sharp as we would like to think?

Love your work . . . keep shooting.

[TammieO]

RJ, I think you're right about not being as sharp out at 400mm. I just ordered the 1.4xTC and a cable release. I did try it with the IS on and off. It didn't seem to make any difference. Probably because it was a nice bright sunny day. As for the tripod, I need to start researching a new one. The one I have is over 15 years old and not sturdy enough. I did like the Gitzo 1325 I borrowed from a friend, but lots of $$$$ just for the legs and I need a head too. More sack lunches for me!

[RJSorensen]

I use a Bogen 3033 and a pistol grip for my work, it is a tad heave perhaps but that is what I have. I could not get over the difference the cable release made . . . with that 1.4 TC stuck in there, you will be out to an effective length of 896mm (w/c factor) and that is a handful. A solid tripod is a must for TC work I have found thus far with cable release attached always.

I always dream of 'gear' at lunch so the brown bags don't have NO taste anyway . . . lol. Go get 'em.