Texas' Harris's Hawks, part I

MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
edited June 13, 2010 in Wildlife
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.
HarrissHawk5.jpg

HarrissHawk2.jpg

HarrissHawk1.jpg

HarrissHawk4.jpg

HarrissHawk6.jpg

HarrissHawk14.jpg

HarrissHawk9.jpg
Stephen
www.capture-the-pixel.com

Comments

  • troylimtroylim Registered Users Posts: 141 Major grins
    edited June 5, 2010
    Nice series, great setting. :)
    Regards,

    Troy
    www.troylimphotography.com
  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited June 5, 2010
    Well...I bet Dan is jealous now! I know Ric is.

    Your finest set to date IMO, Stephen. bowdown.gif

    Outstanding set...just terrific. clap.gifthumb
  • Cousin MadnessCousin Madness Registered Users Posts: 79 Big grins
    edited June 6, 2010
    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. thumb.gif
    Some call me crazy - but friends call me Mad.

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    Martin.
  • Cousin MadnessCousin Madness Registered Users Posts: 79 Big grins
    edited June 6, 2010
    I'm keen to see part 2... I have looked through the threads, am I missing something?


    Martin. :D
    Some call me crazy - but friends call me Mad.

    :photoCanada Lens Rentals - Come join us on Facebook

    Canon 7D, EF 15mm Fisheye, EF 400 f2.8, EF 300f2.8, EF 100-400L IS, EF 70-200 f2.8, EF24-70 f2.8, 580EX II. Manfrotto mono, 055 ProB, 701 Video head.
    First SLR Zenith B, 12th Birthday 1972.
    Martin.
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited June 6, 2010
    Good set Ste[hen especially #1.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
    edited June 6, 2010
    Cousin Madness wrote: »
    I'm keen to see part 2... I have looked through the threads, am I missing something?


    Martin. :D

    No number 2 yet...still working on photos. Thanks for the comments.
    Stephen
    www.capture-the-pixel.com

  • MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
    edited June 6, 2010
    Cousin Madness wrote: »
    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. thumb.gif

    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.
    Stephen
    www.capture-the-pixel.com

  • GiphsubGiphsub Registered Users Posts: 2,662 Major grins
    edited June 8, 2010
    Wow! clap.gif These are stunning shots Stephen. bowdown.gif 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 Helbig

    http://www.michaelhelbigphotography.com
    http://www.thewildpig.blogspot.com
  • MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
    edited June 8, 2010
    Giphsub wrote: »
    Wow! clap.gif These are stunning shots Stephen. bowdown.gif 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
    Stephen
    www.capture-the-pixel.com

  • dlplumerdlplumer Registered Users Posts: 8,081 Major grins
    edited June 8, 2010
    Not jealous at all Ric. Just proud that I inspired the trip wings.gif Great captures Stephen. clap.gifclap Although on second thought, I am jealous of his 500
    Dan
    http://danielplumer.com/
    Facebook Fan Page
  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited June 8, 2010
    dlplumer wrote: »
    Not jealous at all Ric.

    I thought it was an obvious overstatement for effect. Not to be taken literally.headscratch.gif
  • PeterD-2009PeterD-2009 Registered Users Posts: 618 Major grins
    edited June 8, 2010
    Maestro wrote: »
    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 Stephenbowdown.gif . 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:cry.
    Cheers

    Peter

    http://www.imageinuk.com
  • MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
    edited June 8, 2010
    PeterD-2009 wrote: »
    What a beautiful set of images Stephenbowdown.gif . 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:cry.

    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.
    Stephen
    www.capture-the-pixel.com

  • PeterD-2009PeterD-2009 Registered Users Posts: 618 Major grins
    edited June 8, 2010
    Maestro wrote: »
    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.
    Cheers

    Peter

    http://www.imageinuk.com
  • MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
    edited June 13, 2010
    dlplumer wrote: »
    Not jealous at all Ric. Just proud that I inspired the trip wings.gif Great captures Stephen. clap.gifclap Although on second thought, I am jealous of his 500

    Thanks Dan...appreciated.
    Stephen
    www.capture-the-pixel.com

  • MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
    edited June 13, 2010
    Harryb wrote: »
    Good set Ste[hen especially #1.

    Thanks so much for taking at peek at the pics. I appreciate it.
    Stephen
    www.capture-the-pixel.com

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