Kidnapper v2 (PAW 5/52)
by HarveyG

Comment by tjbel05:
Love the colors in this picture!!! This is excellent timing. I like that you caught the escape of the little bird.

Kidnapper v2 (PAW 5/52)
by HarveyG

Comment by Dennisheckman:
Without the story, I would have wondered what was being carried. So your story clears that right up! Those quick shots out the window are tough. Surprised you got it this good.

Kidnapper v2 (PAW 5/52)
by HarveyG

Comment by HarveyG:
Thank you all for the kind valid comments. It is certainly not ribbon material. I know what that is and it's easier to achieve in a zoo, aviary or at a feeder. I'm sure I'll be able to manage that.

I agree my blueish PP leaves a lot to be desired. I also prefer the original but was trying to get a bit more detail and overdid it! Also if you are not a birder you'd not have noticed the chick.

I'll work on the original more, thanks!

Kidnapper v2 (PAW 5/52)
by HarveyG

Comment by ciaeagle:
I also like the colors of the original better. I hate that a baby bird is being carted of for dinner but I love that the hawk is getting dinner. *sigh* without the story I wouldn't have seen the baby bird. Without the details of the difficulty in taking this shot I wouldn't have known that either. All that said I probably would have gone with a 5 or 6. I don't think it would have done well in best of ... But I love seeing it here and look forward to more. :)

Kidnapper v2 (PAW 5/52)
by HarveyG

Comment by MacDonald:
Ah Harvey, this is truly a much more difficult shot to get than most of the blue ribbon winners on DP - it's rare, it's nature at her best (and worst depending on which bird you are rooting for) I would have given it an 8 but I know what it takes to get such a shot - no, I might not have known it was a baby in it's claws but I know it has something and given the fact that even a hummingbird will buzz a hawk to protect it's nest, I might have guessed it was it's young. I am always in awe of the tiny birds with the heart of lions when it comes to protection of their territory or their young - thank you got another wonderful glimpse into true wildlife photography.

Kidnapper v2 (PAW 5/52)
by HarveyG

Comment by Kroburg:
Great capture, although you need to know the story before you see there's a chick in his claw. I agree with nam that the original image is more promising. Colours look more natural. But still a nice image.

BiF - Behemoth in Flight
by HarveyG

Comment by MacDonald:
Oh all four off the ground - amazing .. I like not seeing their faces - I can think what I want to then .. are they running ot of fear (doubtful given their immense power) or for fun? Comical to think of then just running off to expend energy - Funny how they tuck their tail in as they run - not held out as a flag heralding their coming - Rhinos are dear to my heart - they look like they were made up of left over pieces - tiny little wiggly ears more suited to a small animal .. huge haunches like an elephant .. the speed of a cat - thank you for your wonderful posting of a wild free beast that is slowly being confined to smaller and smaller ranges due to the stupidity of those who don't understand how sacred all life is.

Kidnapper v2 (PAW 5/52)
by HarveyG

Comment by Ann:
It's like one of those nature shows on TV. If the show is about the hawk, then you're cheering for the hawk. "Yeah! Hawk gets a meal!" If the show is about the Drongo, then you're sad for the chick and the mom.

Anyway, you know my opinion. It's an amazing image that won't score well without the backstory.

Kidnapper v2 (PAW 5/52)
by HarveyG

Comment by nam:
Well, I think this would do much better with the story - it's not at all apparent that the hawk has a chick and that the other bird is harassing him - and since you can't include that information in your title, I too would go with another image for Best Of. That said, I actually think the original looks more promising than the edited image presents. I prefer the lighter, less green blue and I think it looks as if there is more detail to be brought out in both without having the lighting look unbelievable. Did you try any lightening of the shadows? And if you used a denoise, did you erase it from the birds and leave it only on the sky? The main hawk looks slightly softer in the edited version than in the original.
This may all be my imagination. It's a fascinating capture for sure.

Kidnapper v2 (PAW 5/52)
by HarveyG

Comment by BeckyT:
Alot of emotion wrapped up in this shot. First I am thinking "Oh wow" check out that neat looking raptor. Next " I am thinking oh man that poor baby chick"
Nice capture!