Well after seeing Dan's cool Harris's Hawk, I wanted some more images of our Texan Harris's Hawks. South Texas is a great place to find these handsome hawks. They are common in the arid areas of the southern Texas. One of my favorite places to visit for hawks is Weaver Ranch. It backs up to the famous King Ranch. The owners are just awesome individuals who for a reasonable daily rate will open their ranch up to photography. I took these pictures at a blind set up to attract the hawks and falcons that live on the ranch. Last year when I visited the crested caracaras dominated the Harris's hawks not letting them come in much, but this year it was different. The Harris's hawks were more aggressive, probably because they are feeding young. Texas had a wet winter and spring and consequently you will see some of the beautiful Texas wildflowers in the background.

The happy couple, female on the right.

Nice series, great setting. :)

Well...I bet Dan is jealous now! I know Ric is.

Your finest set to date IMO, Stephen.

Outstanding set...just terrific.

Nice set Stephen, particularly like the last one as it shows the two tone brown wings very well.

I'm not sure if these are 100% crops, i'm seeing some softness and loss of feather detail. However, getting this close to these beauties requires large magnification and that always isn't available!

Background is very colourful and interesting with the flowers dotting the greenery.

Well done.


Martin.

I'm keen to see part 2... I have looked through the threads, am I missing something?


Martin.

Good set Ste[hen especially #1.

Originally Posted by Cousin Madness I'm keen to see part 2... I have looked through the threads, am I missing something? Martin.

No number 2 yet...still working on photos. Thanks for the comments.

Originally Posted by Cousin Madness Nice set Stephen, particularly like the last one as it shows the two tone brown wings very well. I'm not sure if these are 100% crops, i'm seeing some softness and loss of feather detail. However, getting this close to these beauties requires large magnification and that always isn't available! Background is very colourful and interesting with the flowers dotting the greenery. Well done. Martin.

Thanks Martin...They are not 100% crops but perhaps the DOF is a bit shallow? These were shot at anywhere from F4 to 8 although at anything over 5.6 I would think there would be enough DOF. I applied some sharpening in post processing, but I have never been a fan of that over-sharpened look so I tend to shy away from applying too much sharpening.

Wow! These are stunning shots Stephen. I was gonna pick a few favourites, but they are all superb. How did you get so close? (other than having a blind) Did you know their local hangout spot?

Originally Posted by Giphsub Wow! These are stunning shots Stephen. I was gonna pick a few favourites, but they are all superb. How did you get so close? (other than having a blind) Did you know their local hangout spot?

Mike,

The blind, a 300mm and a 500mm lens, plus knowing that the hawks frequent this spot on this particular ranch all play into the good shots. The ranch is 300 acres and they(the hawks) are very visible in this one part of the ranch. Thanks for commenting

Not jealous at all Ric. Just proud that I inspired the trip Great captures Stephen. Although on second thought, I am jealous of his 500

Originally Posted by dlplumer Not jealous at all Ric.

I thought it was an obvious overstatement for effect. Not to be taken literally.

Originally Posted by Maestro Mike, The blind, a 300mm and a 500mm lens, plus knowing that the hawks frequent this spot on this particular ranch all play into the good shots. The ranch is 300 acres and they(the hawks) are very visible in this one part of the ranch. Thanks for commenting

What a beautiful set of images Stephen . I take it a 'blind' in the US is a 'Hide' in the UK? As you say, it's the planning that increases the probability of success and clearly you had enough information to get these superb shots. Are your lens' prime? I use the Bigma 50-500 for wildlife as I cannot afford the prime 500mm.

Originally Posted by PeterD-2009 What a beautiful set of images Stephen . I take it a 'blind' in the US is a 'Hide' in the UK? As you say, it's the planning that increases the probability of success and clearly you had enough information to get these superb shots. Are your lens' prime? I use the Bigma 50-500 for wildlife as I cannot afford the prime 500mm.

Yes, blind=hide. Both lenses are prime Peter but I can not use my 500mm without a sturdy tripod. It has no IS. I also bought the Sigma 500mm as I couldn't afford the Canon version either. Thanks for the comments.

Originally Posted by Maestro Yes, blind=hide. Both lenses are prime Peter but I can not use my 500mm without a sturdy tripod. It has no IS. I also bought the Sigma 500mm as I couldn't afford the Canon version either. Thanks for the comments.

Thanks for your reply Stephen. I am lucky in that the E3 has on-board IS which makes using the Sigma 50-500 usable hand-held at 500mm. Although I love this glassware, it is no-where near as fast as a prime but it does cover a very useful focal length range.

Originally Posted by dlplumer Not jealous at all Ric. Just proud that I inspired the trip Great captures Stephen. Although on second thought, I am jealous of his 500

Thanks Dan...appreciated.

Originally Posted by Harryb Good set Ste[hen especially #1.

Thanks so much for taking at peek at the pics. I appreciate it.