Birds in Nature - images of wild birds by Richard Ditch

Subject: Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)
Place: Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Superior, AZ, USA
Date: April 2003
Equipment: Nikon N90S, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E (= 600/5.6), SB28, tripod
Film: Fujichrome Sensia 100
Exposure: Aperture priority matrix metered, fill flash @ -1.7
Scan: Minolta Dimage, 80% of frame

Commentary: Cooper's Hawks make their living in the woods, but most images we see of them are taken at migration concentration points or in backyards where they are attracted to small birds at feeding stations. I was very happy to encounter this bird in a stand of trees at this state park. Although the species has been nesting in the park the past few years, I found the bird about a quarter mile away from the nest in a more open area while I was making a quick check before a birdwalk I was leading. A hummingbird making a chattering noise I'd never heard from one before attracted me to this hawk sitting in the shaded canopy. With only about 15 minutes before my walk began, I rushed back to my car, got my gear out and assembled, came back to this location, and got off about 10 frames before I had to meet my group.

I'd like a little more depth-of-field to give a bit more sharpness on the head, but the overall dimness didn't give me much option to stop down. I took a few frames from the front of the bird, but I'm not as satisfied with the steep shooting angle and the branches blocking part of the breast. I like the woodsy feel in this shot, thinking it very appropriate to the lifestyle of this species.