Two years ago this juvenile Red-tailed Hawk hunted the same area of Antelope Island for much of the summer.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Typically it would “perch and wait” hunt from some of the dark rocks above the road and go after voles in the grasses between us so I just pulled off to the side of the road and shot from my pickup (as I usually do). Here the hawk is taking off after another rodent but once again it failed. Most of the time this bird came back empty-taloned and I believe its dismal success rate was at least partly due to the inexperience of the young bird.
I hope it survived.
Ron
Note: For the next few days I’ll be out of town on my first camping/photo trip of the season so I won’t be able to actively participate in any discussions that may pop up in the comments (though I will be reading them on my phone).
I remember the series of fine shots you posted. Was it really that long ago? Whew, time on fire… Wouldn’t it be wonderful if this bird is still with us, sporting a handsome red tail.
I hope that perfection came with practice. He already had the beauty.
And how I would love a day/week… to spend archive diving in your files.
I just want to see his idea of “rejects”…I’ll happily take them all!!! (Willing to share)…..
Done deal. Sorry Ron, you have been outvoted here.
Beautiful. Thank you, Ron.
Love the background interest! Spectacular…all around!
PERFECTION!!!
What a wonderful shot Ron! Thanks for sharing!
Charlotte