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tleach0608 — Sharp Eyes

Published: 2011-01-30 04:35:45 +0000 UTC; Views: 1127; Favourites: 79; Downloads: 0
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Description Taken at The Wilds - Cumberland, OH

The Wilds is a wildlife conservation center in Ohio that is dedicated not only toward preserving species survival but also doing everything they can to learn about the animals in their care. During my trip to The Wilds, we were treated to a birds of prey show before our safari tours where we were introduced to Cirrus. Cirrus is a red-tailed hawk that had been brought to the Columbus Zoo when he was young due to a leg injury. By the time he was healed, he had partially imprinted and so they kept him for outreach and educational programs and he has been doing very well ever since.

This shot was taken after the show was over and a photographer from a local paper was taking publicity photos for an article--of course I sidled in and started shooting photos too since the show had been inside and I wanted some good shots with natural light and less noise. As soon as I processed this photo I knew I had to upload it here--the contrast of the steely sky against the warm tones of the hawk just pleased me to no end.

And hopefully I can be forgiven for the zoo employee's arm and hand in this photo but there wasn't much I could do to eliminate it and I sort of like it anyway.


Other photos from the Bird Show at The Wilds:

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Comments: 38

SuperYoghi [2012-03-19 10:29:27 +0000 UTC]

Great photo !!

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tleach0608 In reply to SuperYoghi [2012-03-19 18:49:29 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very much!!

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mandalamker [2012-03-18 08:46:37 +0000 UTC]

wonderful!!!this is freedom's symbol

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tleach0608 In reply to mandalamker [2012-03-18 13:11:12 +0000 UTC]

Thank you! This is one of my favorite photos of all time and I was so glad I was bold enough to say forget my food and go get these shots!

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KJanuary [2011-05-21 19:54:18 +0000 UTC]

There's really no way to take a picture of a raptor when it DOESN'T look stunning. Beautiful! I don't often see photos of hawks with such dark eyes.

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tleach0608 In reply to KJanuary [2011-05-23 15:51:30 +0000 UTC]

I know how you feel--I absolutely love raptors of all sorts, even the "ugly" ones like turkey vultures. But Cirrus here was just stunning and his eyes so beautiful. I was extremely happy to have been so close to him--when they moved him around the room during the presentation I had to BACK UP to take the photo because he was too close!

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Ayame-Kenoshi [2011-04-09 01:27:52 +0000 UTC]

Wow, a very stoic picture! Well done!

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tleach0608 In reply to Ayame-Kenoshi [2011-04-09 14:26:59 +0000 UTC]

Aw thanks so much! It was definitely worth missing most of my lunch to get the opportunity to photograph him like this outside!

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Ginsbergchick [2011-01-31 03:05:01 +0000 UTC]

A splendid animal, and you captured him brilliantly! You're very right about the contrast of his warm tones against the cool grey background, it's fantastic. And I'm another who likes the arm in the photo, actually, it certainly doesn't detract anything.

Beautiful work, Taryn.

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tleach0608 In reply to Ginsbergchick [2011-01-31 12:54:38 +0000 UTC]

Thanks so much! I'm glad that the overwhelming consensus is that the arm goes perfectly in the shot too.

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Ginsbergchick In reply to tleach0608 [2011-01-31 23:31:56 +0000 UTC]

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AkimaDoll [2011-01-30 17:20:11 +0000 UTC]

Oooh lovely! I thing the zoo keeper's arm actually adds to the shot - this could be very blah if it were just a hawk on a perch.

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tleach0608 In reply to AkimaDoll [2011-01-31 02:06:48 +0000 UTC]

Thanks! I think so too--I tried to keep the hand and arm as neutral in the frame and think that the dark coloring really adds contrast too.

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groundhog22 [2011-01-30 16:31:40 +0000 UTC]

Well hey, he's got to sit on something. And I love all the different tints/shades of brown on him!

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tleach0608 In reply to groundhog22 [2011-01-31 02:04:28 +0000 UTC]

LOL I agree! But I know there are some people out there thinking "But if you just cloned out that arm..." /snarky voice. LOL He was gorgeous and that gray sky really helped to frame that.

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SalemCat [2011-01-30 11:55:40 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful photo Taryn!

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tleach0608 In reply to SalemCat [2011-01-30 14:53:32 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much!! It was well worth the 4 hours round trip to see this.

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SalemCat In reply to tleach0608 [2011-02-01 10:28:16 +0000 UTC]

You're quite welcome, It's an AWESOME photo!

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DutchOrca [2011-01-30 11:53:34 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful photograph, I love the contrast between the Redtail and the sky.

And I totally forgive you for the arm and glove! I'm a falconer myself and I love seeing photos like this. For me the glove stands for the amazing bond and connection that can be shared between bird and falconer.

(Though I fully understand not everyone likes or agrees with the practice of falconry)

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tleach0608 In reply to DutchOrca [2011-01-30 14:53:00 +0000 UTC]

Thanks so much! For some reason whenever I think of raptors, I actually pair them with a cloudy, steely sky. And I LOVE your take on this and I think that's what I felt too but wasn't able to fully articulate it. I have a goal to someday become a falconer myself and use it as an opportunity to help educate people on these fantastic birds to help continue their survival in the wild (not to mention have the opportunity be around these absolutely amazing birds).

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DutchOrca In reply to tleach0608 [2011-02-01 18:23:21 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome

I hope you get to achieve your goal of becoming a falconer. It's fantastic, I have wanted to become one ever since I saw a falconer on vacation in Germany. I have been a falconer for six years now, four of those with my female Harris Hawk.
My mentors do a lot of education too and I always help out whenever I have the time. And hopefully a better understanding of these animals will help ensure their survival.

(I should really upload some photos of my hawk, just realised I don't have any beside my old ID of her...)

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elero [2011-01-30 10:58:52 +0000 UTC]

What a beautiful bird! and beautifully captured too!

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tleach0608 In reply to elero [2011-01-30 14:50:01 +0000 UTC]

He is!! A definite wonderful ambassador to the people--some folks at The Wilds said it best--the more you know about someone or even an animal, the more you care about what happens to them. Programs like this to educate people on birds like Cirrus and many of the others they showed really help to make you care about what happens to their species and make sure that they continue on for generations. I'd like to think that if only we had these people around when the dodo went extinct, I'd bet that we'd have them around still.

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PhotoByTrace [2011-01-30 10:39:20 +0000 UTC]

Oh, that's lovely Taryn!

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tleach0608 In reply to PhotoByTrace [2011-01-30 14:47:13 +0000 UTC]

Thanks so much!! I haven't taken a lot of opportunity to get back to my first love and yesterday really gave me a jolt again. There's such a satisfaction with getting these photos in addition to all the experiences. Yesterday I got to PET RHINOS. It was certainly a memorable day.

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PhotoByTrace In reply to tleach0608 [2011-01-30 21:08:04 +0000 UTC]

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karhit [2011-01-30 09:16:09 +0000 UTC]

A high quality photo

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tleach0608 In reply to karhit [2011-01-30 14:45:14 +0000 UTC]

Thanks so much! I keep looking at this and sprain my shoulder patting myself on the back...which after a slip on the ice there yesterday and my whole right side being slightly sore...it just rounds out my battle wounds. lol

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karhit In reply to tleach0608 [2011-02-04 19:48:32 +0000 UTC]

you are more than welcome...I HOPE YOU ARE DOING WELL !!!

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tleach0608 In reply to karhit [2011-02-04 21:58:32 +0000 UTC]

I am! Thought it's a tad cold for my tastes so I spend much time laid out in front of the fire.

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buildingclimber [2011-01-30 06:40:57 +0000 UTC]

nice. sharp.

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tleach0608 In reply to buildingclimber [2011-01-30 14:44:22 +0000 UTC]

Thank you! There are times when photographers have to be shameless and although I felt a little like I was barging in on the newpaper's moment. But I kept completely back so I didn't intrude and was glad I did because I got a lot of fabulous shots that will be up here sometime today.

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creativemikey [2011-01-30 05:30:20 +0000 UTC]

What an excellent shot

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tleach0608 In reply to creativemikey [2011-01-30 14:38:32 +0000 UTC]

Thanks so much, I absolutely adore raptors and red-tails are all over the area here so to get to see one close up like that...

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Valkaerie [2011-01-30 05:22:23 +0000 UTC]

With a face like his, the arm's completely unnoticed ~.^ Gorgeous photo, I love the cool tones in the background - it really enhances the warm reddish tones in his feathers. The pose is perfect, too, rather than being a full on profile, or head-on. Definitely one of my faves!

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tleach0608 In reply to Valkaerie [2011-01-30 14:37:46 +0000 UTC]

LOL I know, it really is. When you look at the photo you're looking at the bird. Someone else mentioned they liked it as it showed that close bond that comes between bird and falconer and I love that as I think that's why I actually like the arm in the photo.

And I agree about those gray skies and reddish feathers, it's such a great contrast and one of those times where the cloudy sky like this is a photographer's best friend--I don't think I would have gotten as striking a photo if it had been sunny.

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Zephania [2011-01-30 05:15:59 +0000 UTC]

This is amazing shot! I don't mind the arm either, at first glance I didn't even know it was an arm.

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tleach0608 In reply to Zephania [2011-01-30 14:35:55 +0000 UTC]

Thanks so much! And I'm glad that the arm doesn't detract, for some reason I think it lends an extra regal air to him. But he was such a lovely bird and I love that I was able to see him so close.

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