First post, please ID

I went looking for an antelope and found this guy on my way home. The light was wrong, lens too short, and at least six other excuses as to why the photo isn't very good. Oh - and I've never shot birds before!

Can someone id this bird for me?

Thanks,
Dan

Not a bad shot at all, looks like a rough-legged hawk, a little tweak in photoshop and it would stand out a little more, very nicely done. Welcome to the forum, keep the posts coming.

Heres a quick tune up, since you have image editing ok enabled, if you dont like it I will delete it. Very nice capture.

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

Thanks for the kind words and the edit. The sun was behind him and washed out the color that you've brought out nicely.

My wife thinks that I need to photograph birds more - maybe that will translate into a new lens <grin>. We have many interesting birds here. I got a distant shot of a golden eagle earlier that day. There are several bald eagles in this area as well.

Dan

I agree with bromm, a rough-legged Hawk it is. Shot my first one about a month ago.
Good start in bird photo Dan!
Where was this taken? If you don't mind me asking.

Thanks Marco.

I live in Northern Wyoming but grew up in NY - just a bit south of the St. Lawrence. I took these shots a few miles out of Sheridan, WY. My wife and I often drive around the back roads and often see hawks, owls, eagles and a variety of other birds. I hope to shoot more.

Dan

Good shot of a bird that never lets me get anywhere near this close. Wife is right go shoot more birds and post them here.

Zip
Wild66.com

dlpasco wrote in post #2751097
Thanks Marco.

I live in Northern Wyoming but grew up in NY - just a bit south of the St. Lawrence. I took these shots a few miles out of Sheridan, WY. My wife and I often drive around the back roads and often see hawks, owls, eagles and a variety of other birds. I hope to shoot more.

Dan

Dan

Your in the Big Horns and Many Great birds between Sheridan and Grey Bull off 14a and a long way from NY.

Nice shot of a ruff-legged Hawk

hTr wrote in post #2751150
Dan

Your in the Big Horns and Many Great birds between Sheridan and Grey Bull off 14a and a long way from NY.

Nice shot of a ruff-legged Hawk

Thanks hTr - nothing close the shots I've seen you and the others post here!

You know this country - 14A - to the locals it is known as the 'OhMyGod' Highway And yes, it's along way from NY - that was the idea!!

dlpasco wrote in post #2751220
Thanks hTr - nothing close the shots I've seen you and the others post here!

You know this country - 14A - to the locals it is known as the 'OhMyGod' Highway And yes, it's along way from NY - that was the idea!!

I've covered those mountians from Billings, Lovel, Shell and Burgis Juction. I know many of the ranchers on the west side. We Elk hunted up on top for 20 years. I'm Originally from Minnesota and came to Alabama, Too damn cold up there.

As far as comments go, I expect to get one from you every time you like it or hate it!!!!

I Value your opinion

Fair enough. I'm a cutter, not a bucket carrier If you ever get the urge to wander around these hills again just look me up.

I agree this is a Rough-Legged Hawk and a nice job getting it to hold still for the picture on a first sighting, great catch.

And the first bird shot you have taken is a rough legged hawk? Wow, my first was a sparrow and the second was a gull and the third was a mallard!
Well done in capturing this hawk in the frame.

Thanks for all of the kind comments. This was pure luck. I wasn't out to shoot a bird but he was just there I might have the disease now. I'm shopping for a new lens. We do have some wonderful birds here. One of my favorites is the Western Blue Bird.

Dan

I think the shot is great, touched up or not. Good Job.

Luck and skill are the same thing, it is just how you tell the story.
My Dad told me that once.