My first true wild BIF

bgarlandbgarland Registered Users Posts: 761 Major grins
edited February 13, 2011 in Wildlife
Last week I was camping near the Aravaipa wilderness area in Arizona trying to get a shot of a reclusive pack of coatimundies. When they kept themselves hidden and my patience ended I was about to get back into my truck when a Red Tail hawk landed in a tree nearby.

1.
1181740305_Nhg7A-X3-2.jpg

Luckily he decided to fly over my head and land in another tree across the road. This was the first time I got chance at a true wild BIF other than slow flying Pelicans at the beach. I need to work on my tracking skills to improve the crispness but I was happy I got the opportunity and got even reasonable captures.

2.
1181741988_afZpE-L-2.jpg

3.
1181742830_EESkz-L-3.jpg

4.
1181744782_oXTvo-L-3.jpg

5.
1181744872_wTKjn-L-3.jpg

6.
1181697669_MrhkG-X2-3.jpg
Brad

http://bgarland.smugmug.com/

Comments

  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited February 11, 2011
    Congrats Brad clap.gif The first is always a blast.
    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!"
  • NetgardenNetgarden Registered Users Posts: 829 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2011
    You'll be hooked now! Nice get. I remember my first BIF, I was walking by the bay hoping for a shorebird to practice with my new 300f4, and lo and behold an Osprey came right over my head with a fish in his claws. I was completely hooked after that moment, and realized later that doesn't happen very often!
    .Linda's OCwildlife Galleries
  • LindiweLindiwe Registered Users Posts: 606 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2011
    Congrats on the first BIF!
    thumb.gif
  • bgarlandbgarland Registered Users Posts: 761 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2011
    Thanks for the comments. I agree I have now been bitten by the bug and will be in search of more opportunities. :D

    It may impact my retirement plans though when I start seeking longer quality glass. rolleyes1.gif
    Brad

    http://bgarland.smugmug.com/
  • WillCADWillCAD Registered Users Posts: 722 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2011
    Great set, Brad. My faves are #3 and #6.

    #3 is a great angle of the bird, with a dynamic and dramatic profile.

    #6 is a classic bird-on-a-branch profile shot, with terrific colors.

    The blue of the sky really makes the bird pop in both shots.
    What I said when I saw the Grand Canyon for the first time: "The wide ain't wide enough and the zoom don't zoom enough!"
  • bgarlandbgarland Registered Users Posts: 761 Major grins
    edited February 13, 2011
    WillCAD wrote: »
    Great set, Brad. My faves are #3 and #6.

    #3 is a great angle of the bird, with a dynamic and dramatic profile.

    #6 is a classic bird-on-a-branch profile shot, with terrific colors.

    The blue of the sky really makes the bird pop in both shots.

    Thanks for looking and providing the feedback, I appreciate it.

    I did re-post an updated version of #6 since the first one was way over sharpened. I like it a lot better now with less sharpening.
    Brad

    http://bgarland.smugmug.com/
  • MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
    edited February 13, 2011
    Yep, congrats....my first BIF was also a Red-tailed hawk. thumb.gif
    Stephen
    www.capture-the-pixel.com

  • dlplumerdlplumer Registered Users Posts: 8,081 Major grins
    edited February 13, 2011
    Way to go Bradwings.gif
    Dan
    http://danielplumer.com/
    Facebook Fan Page
  • Osprey WhispererOsprey Whisperer Registered Users Posts: 3,803 Major grins
    edited February 13, 2011
    Congrats on the first WBIF shots. It's always exciting and to capture a hawk just adds to the fun. Not sure what you did processing wise but the blues look off and over saturated a bit. Also seeing a halo on some. Perhaps too much sharpening or shadows/highlights? Just some things to consider. Keep at those BIFs.
    Mike McCarthy

    "Osprey Whisperer"

    OspreyWhisperer.com
  • bgarlandbgarland Registered Users Posts: 761 Major grins
    edited February 13, 2011
    Thanks for the comments everyone.

    Mike, I appreciate the feedback. I went back and checked and yes I did pushed both the sharpening and blue saturation too much in the originals. I reset the color adjustments to just take them as is OOC and dialed back the sharpening.

    I re-posted the images with these corrections.

    Better now? :D
    Brad

    http://bgarland.smugmug.com/
  • Osprey WhispererOsprey Whisperer Registered Users Posts: 3,803 Major grins
    edited February 13, 2011
    I think the blues look more natural and halo appears to be gone. More important.... Do you think they look better and are you happy with them. *-)
    Mike McCarthy

    "Osprey Whisperer"

    OspreyWhisperer.com
  • bgarlandbgarland Registered Users Posts: 761 Major grins
    edited February 13, 2011
    Osprey Whisperer wrote: »
    I think the blues look more natural and halo appears to be gone. More important.... Do you think they look better and are you happy with them. *-)

    Yes I am. I didn't understand what gave me the halos now I do. Gracias.bowdown.gif
    Brad

    http://bgarland.smugmug.com/
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