Soaring….

Soaring… this image capsulizes a perfect afternoon spent yesterday, enjoying the serene countryside near Franklin, TN. The autumn hues could not have been more beautiful–golds, reds, and flaming oranges, all contrasting beautifully against a perfect azur sky. This magnificent hawk, swooping, gliding, dipping and turning, seemed to be equally entranced with his environs. It was a lucky break that I managed to capture this shot with a 10-24 mm wide angle lens (I was composing landscapes at the time) rather than a more suitable telephoto–a pleasant surprise when I viewed in onscreen last night. Even the trails of sun flare, which I normally avoid at all costs, seem to add the perfect component to this photograph. There are but precious few of these perfect autumn days each year, which is why, I suppose they are to be savored to the fullest. For me, this hawk sort of sums up how they make me feel. Hope you enjoy…

f/9, 1/250th sec, ISO 100, 24 mm