Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk Still Learning To Hunt

After yet another snowstorm all day yesterday I felt the need to post something this morning with absolutely nothing white in the background.  This juvenile Red-tailed Hawk taking off after prey filled the bill.

 

red-tailed hawk 5064b ron dudley1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 400, 500 f/4, canvas added, 2 twigs removed, not baited, set up or called in

This was one of my favorite Red-tails of all time.  For several weeks it would occasionally cooperate with me as it perch- hunted voles from rocky outcroppings on the side of a large hill.  Here it has just launched after spotting prey in the grasses below.

The young hawk wasn’t yet a very skilled hunter and most of its hunting forays came up empty.  I often wonder if it survived the following winter.

Ron

22 Comments

  1. I had an odd thought looking at this impressive photo. The hawk’s feet look large. Do juveniles have larger feet in proportion to their bodies?

  2. It does look determined so hopefully it will survive.

  3. The way the feathers are splayed out is beautiful- and such determination!

  4. Beautiful shot…..man on a mission….you really captured a wonderful poise.

  5. Love the determined gaze. And hope that practice did reap its just reward and that he survived and thrived.

  6. Just gorgeous! I love the look of intense concentration on its face. And I, too, hope it survived and is doing well.

  7. This has got to be one of my all time favorite hawk pictures….Great! Love everything about it!!!

  8. Patricia Davidson-Peters

    You definitely do this hawk justice displaying its beautiful movement and intricate features in one snap!

  9. Christina Greutink

    Really enjoying your blog. Thanks for all the great photos and info!

  10. Great shot from an interesting angle to catch the wing spread Ron.

  11. Beautiful Action shot Ron …Perfect !

  12. WOW! Spectacular! I hope he thrived…

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