Red Shouldered Hawk
by MacDonald

Comment by vtruan:
Wonderful first try. I need to go afield with you. Red-shouldereds are so purty.

The hand of a Master Falconer
by MacDonald

Comment by ragamuffingirl:
I would have voted it higher if the actual falconer had been in the picture!

The hand of a Master Falconer
by MacDonald

Comment by hotpasta:
I would have liked to have seen the Master Falconer as I think this challenge was more about him than the falcon, but this is an extraordinary shot otherwise

The hand of a Master Falconer
by MacDonald

Comment by TraumaHound:
Interesting twist on what I might have expected of a subject for this challenge. You've beautifully captured his environment, to me at least. Well done.

Eyes like a hawk
by MacDonald

Comment by ericwoo:
Hey there from the Critique Club

Congrats on your best-scoring photograph to date, as well as a top 30 finish. Your focus is dead on and the composition near flawless. Looking through your past challenges, this is one of your best entries. I think the only reason this image fell outside of the top ten is because of the cliche you chose. The title really makes the viewer strain to look at the eyes, whereas a title similar to "fly like a bird" may have guided the viewer to look more at the entire image. That's the way this site goes. You can submit a near-perfect image, but get hung out to dry with the title. I would have still scored this one in the 7-8 range, as all the elements come together to draw the viewer into the photo. Nice work.

Defiant, Proud * Courageous
by MacDonald

Comment by MTPixels:
Razor sharpness and soft at the same time. Great texture and lighting. Top 10 in my opinion.

Great Blue Heron eating giant fish
by MacDonald

Comment by posthumous:
I know this shot is very "busy" but the business occurs right where the action is, lots of exciting water highlights and reflections. Admittedly, it makes it a little difficult to tell what's going on at first but ultimately it makes the picture more exciting and interesting. It feels more like an urban candid than a nature shot!

Defiant, Proud * Courageous
by MacDonald

Comment by pidge:
Very nice! Great capture and details on the feathers

Great Blue Heron eating giant fish
by MacDonald

Comment by ChikaZAWa:
Jesus, did he actually get the whole thing down? What an incredible shot.

Great Blue Heron eating giant fish
by MacDonald

Comment by alpharich:
Cool ! very sharp and captures the moment! I would not change a thing!