Red-tailed Hawk "C"

This is the first processed image with the new Canon R1.  I decided I wanted to really push the AF so I went to the Canadian Raptor Conservancy in Simcoe and photographed a series of captive raptors.  Photographing these birds while easy in one way .. you have a guaranteed subject and you know the flight path, it is generally more stressful on the AF because you have the bird flying generally right at you.  A subject rapidly closing the focus distance is far more challenging for the AF than a panning shot.  The R1 nailed probably better than 80% of the frames and most of the misses were my fault .. it was cold and gloves were an issue.  The low flight path through the tall wild grasses was never an issue for the AF.  Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to test out the high ISO capabilities but the AF and the FPS exceeded my expectations and I don't care that it's 24 mp's.

 Red-tailed Hawk  "C" _F4A0883 by Malcolm Benn, on Flickr