Hawk

[Fjord54 (Holly)]

OK, getting off of the sunsets until I can take what suggestions were made and incorporate them into the next sunsets I can take to see if there are improvements! Moving on to the animal corner.......critiques on this little guy, was driving down the country road with my friend and we saw something in the tree, got out with my camera and zooming in saw it was a Hawk. Quickly took some photos as I was on the edge of a golf course..........luckily no one was around at the time. I love this photo out of all that I took because he is looking straight at me and I love the look in his/her eye. I like the framing of the branches and a cloudless sky that could potentially take away from the bird. I cropped in closer and moved the hawk up a bit from the middle of the photo........

......go ahead....fire away!

Holly 

[Rowie]

wow stunning, I love the way hes looking directly at you.

Lovely picture.

xxx

[Brisguy52]

Good job Holly, as it stands I don't see how you could have taken a better shot.
Birds are amongst the most uncooperative subjects there are, particularly when they're perched in trees... and when they're re-enacting the battle of brittain over John's back yard 
The only way to improve on what you've done is to beg, borrow or steal the telephoto lens you mentioned elsewhere
The texture of the feathers of birds that aren't brightly coloured look pretty amazing if you can get close enough AND get a clear shot which is no mean feat but well worth the effort.
After many failed attempts I got a decent shot of a Rainbow Lorikeet a while back more by good luck than good management -

http://www.jwjonline.net/JWJforum/index.php?topic=1027.msg21899#msg21899

[Brisguy52]

Here's a shot of a Raven, at least I think it's a Raven.
I was wayyyy too far away, zoom is at 35mm equivalent of 476mm focal length, a very Grey bit of sky, focus isn't quite on the mark, BUT the bird is posing nicely ( well sort of ) ! 

[JWJ]

Great shot, and I agree with the others ... nothing I can suggest or criticise. Lighting can always be better in those situations but I think your camera coped with the problems of being pointed at the sky very well. Nice shot.

How lucky you are to have seen a hawk like that. All I get to see are Woodpigeons, miscellaneous sparrows, and that bloody Robin.

[Fjord54 (Holly)]

BRISGUY52  That photo of the Rainbow Lorikeet is gorgeous! Great photo. Looks like it's something worth painting.....

Hol 

[Millie]

Great work, Holly! I hate to use the word "cute", but I can't help it. He/she is trying to look so mean and just doesn't make it. 
No criticism here. Great shot with what you have.
Millie

[pirate]

nice photo Holly.  i cant comment on photo as im NO good at taking them.
Ian

[Ingrid]

The photos are great .. Holly's Hawk looks as if it is peeking over the branch at Ken's Raven. 

[Millie]

Oh Ken, nice shot of your raven, or whatever.    Waiting to eat I presume.
Millie