Not to sound too sociopathic, but death has always interested me. Perhaps its the remnants of a childhood curiosity, but when I’m out and I see a dead animal I always stop to look at it, and if I have my camera handy, I often will photograph it as well (see here and here). I guess, on some level, I feel there’s a very distinguished beauty in death, the ability to rest in peace, returning to the earth, and photographing it is my way of honoring the cycle we all will participate in.
Last week, a Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) turned up in my yard; it had been completely consumed by another predator (another hawk, I assume), leaving only the legs, wings, and tail feathers. Before picking up the carcass, I made sure to make a few images of it.
Talons, July 2011
Flight pattern, July 2011
really powerful images Greg… the talon in particular.
Great stuff Greg.
Really like the talon picture.
I like the talon shot also. Very well done, Greg.
Sharon
Thanks for the comments, everyone. The photos probably don’t really appeal to everyone, but I also really like the talon photo…
I wish I had done more with it, photographically, while I had it.
I agree with everyone: the talon image is very captivating and the wing is beautiful too. I also appreciate what you wrote about honoring the cycle with your camera.
Both are excellent images/homages Greg. And certainly powerful and more so in B&W I feel. I haven’t looked at the death of animals too much as image subjects, but I do have an interest in plant decay. They may not appeal to a general audience, but they have a lot to say to anyone who will listen.