Red-tailed Hawk hunting *graphic*

After a month long drought I finally ran into my old friend the Red-tailed Hawk. As I was walking to set up to photograph Eagles I saw it land in it's usual tree so I kept going, set up camp and waited as it looked for a meal.

I'm really after a 'kill' photo and I was hoping today was the day...not to be. It hopped from branch to branch getting lower and lower each time watching underneath it....after about 10 minutes it flew into the underbrush coming out with a Mourning Dove.

1. Eyeing it's meal.

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Great Captures!

Duane,
great series, very clear and vivid!

Great sequence Duane. the hawk is sharp plus I really like the backgrounds

Excellent shots Duane.
I love that the sky is a deep blue in 3 and 4 but the hawk is still well exposed.
I really like the blending colors of the feathers and background in number 2, but my only complaint is that I want to keep staring at the sweet gum ball, because thats what it appears the hawk is initially looking at.

Brad

Brad Remick wrote in post #7331583
Great Captures!

Thanks!!

soonerjh wrote in post #7331672
Duane,
great series, very clear and vivid!

Thank you.

scot079 wrote in post #7331684
Great sequence Duane. the hawk is sharp plus I really like the backgrounds

I appreciate the reply.

BradT0517 wrote in post #7331717
Excellent shots Duane.
I love that the sky is a deep blue in 3 and 4 but the hawk is still well exposed.
I really like the blending colors of the feathers and background in number 2, but my only complaint is that I want to keep staring at the sweet gum ball, because thats what it appears the hawk is initially looking at.

Brad

Good eye. I could clone the gumball out but I really dislike the BG in this image..on and off clouds and the timing was wrong. I only processed this one because I liked the detail in the feathers...so I didn't spend much time on this one.

I do appreciate the critique...I don't see everything so a new set of eyes on it can point things out...hence why I say C&C welcomed.

Great series. What a beautiful hawk!

Excellent series, Duane. At least you got something better than the eagles were offering today.

Fantastic set Duane!

Duane great series, I love #2 gum and all.

The 2nd with the framing of the branch, the lower pov and great color all make it the best of the bunch to my eye. Very well done!

Great shots Duane. I am with Brad here - the second one is an oustanding image.
Bob

Excellent series Duane.

super sharp shots Duane...your own pet hawk! Lucky you!

Can you post your EXIF? These shots are fantastic!