These skirmishes are almost impossible to anticipate when you’re watching one of the birds through a telephoto lens and don’t even know that there’s another one in the area.
1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
Two days ago this juvenile Red-tailed Hawk was hunting from a sign post and everything seemed to be calm – to the point that I was enjoying the sunflowers in the setting and the irony of the sign it was perched on. That tranquility didn’t last long…
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
My first hint of possible impending excitement was when the hawk glanced up at something in the sky. There were blackbirds and a kestrel in the area so I thought one of them might buzz the hawk but for fear I’d miss the action I didn’t dare take my eye away from the viewfinder.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
This image speaks for itself – incoming!!!
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
I was disappointed that I cut off half of the attacking hawk but at least I got the entire reaction of the perched bird, who then…
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
jumped almost straight up to meet its attacker.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
In the next image there were more clipped body parts but I got the essential elements of the fight – especially those wicked-looking talons and the look of determination from the hawk on the left. For some reason I’m fascinated by the almost coiled patterns on that birds right wing which remind me a bit of a Nautilus shell.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
This is the last shot I got of the fracas before I lost focus when the birds separated. Notice how the left wing of the lower hawk intersects the right wing of the other bird. Immediately after this shot was taken the aggressor landed on the ground to the right of the sign post and the hawk that was originally perched flew off to my left. Both of these birds are juveniles and it’s very possible that they’re siblings but I really have no idea if that’s the case.
One day I might be lucky enough to capture this kind of behavior without clipping or cutting off body parts but it’s unlikely. In situations like this with a perched bird I tend to see if I can get close enough for good detail while it’s perched and when it (possibly) takes off. That’s much too close when two birds are fighting and you never know when it’s going to happen.
Ron
Great photos Ron. I love the look on their faces and the crisp shots. Love the 7D !
Ron, is that an injury to the leg of the hawk in the first picture that I see? Its right foot just at the ankle area.
The sign cracks me up.
I am glad that you kept your eye on the viewfinder or we wouldn’t be seeing these great shots. I also like the clipping in the first attack shot-effective composition.And the irony of the sign-priceless.
HOLY MACKEREL!!! These photos are BRILLIANT!!! forget about cropping, etc. magnificent
Super, Ron – I love to watch the hawks here in New Mexico , but i’ve never had a chance to see anything like this…Superb series of photos – and I’m with Patty – there is nothing lost because you “clipped” the bird in a photo…I think it add to the feeling of speed and tension ass these two go at it. It’s in the newsletter. I’ll send you a copy, as promised.
Wow! Wow! Wow! What sensational fantastic stunning shots Ron!!! You outdid yourself Clipped body parts and all! Masterful job!
Charlotte
As I said to Mia, gob and smacked, flabber and ghasted.
And I love the irony of that sign.
Thank you Ron. Lots. As always.
Phenomenal photos! Perfection!
Man, what a high, what a kick this was for you Ron. Fantastic shots!!
Dominance, intimidation, seeing how far one can go with protecting territory all behaviors of – imagine – US, as well as any present day animal! We don’t have to look at politics to see primitive behavior. Doesn’t make any difference how low you go on the food chain, some form of this behavior exists. We can control ourselves, ‘sometimes’, but to me this is very natural in the natural world and wonderful to observe.
Imagine all the young predators that are produced each year, when on their own, the survivors have to find space, shelter, food and mates – that has to be a real stress on each one and one can see why these fights develop.
Many thanks for your insight into this behavior and allowing us to join in with these terrific views.
I find the first shot, with the hawk’s toes pointing straight out, pretty, funny…reminds me of Forest Gump for some reason…maybe because I know what’s coming next and he doesn’t…the whole series reminds me of the “strategy surprise attack” games my dogs still play…especially when there’s an audience…
Ron, spectacular images. And the talons ready for action ao i can almost feel them. I been footed so know the feeling. Thank you. I may have to add one of these to my Ron Dudley wall.
Diana, I’ve never been footed except by a kestrel and I don’t think that really counts. I can imagine what it feels like though, especially since you just wait for them to let go…
Ron–re:clipped body part…as painters, we are often encouraged to leave”unfinished” or in complete lines and images to add viewers’s visual interaction and involvement; to cropped an image more tightly in order to heighten the focus on action, drama or detail ; to have an incomplete image of something coming INTO (not leaving) the frame, intensifies focus on the action,, (unless you want the eye to take you put of the scene) …So your ” clipping of body parts” doesn’t detract at all for many of us…and I’m glad you seem to be getting more comfortable with that concept, too.
You make an excellent point, Patty – thanks for that. I continue to learn…
Patty, I really like the way you described this. I ran the photos through my mind as I read your description, and it just fit perfectly. I agree about increasing the intensity. Thanks for helping me to understand what I’m experiencing – I know what I like, but have never had any art training (boo!!) so I don’t really have a way to analyze what I like.
Wonderful series. I agree with Patty’s points about clipping not necessarily being a detraction. If the main display of the images is on the web with the attendant restrictions on resolution, showing full images of both birds may limit the ability of the viewer to appreciate fine detail in the critical regions of action – eyes, talons, beaks. I would argue that the clippiing in #6 for example adds to, rather than detracts from, the appeal.
Hi! Love these photo’s! Great shots and seeing the birds up close is great!
Have a great day and weekend!
Thank you, Hummingbird Lover. I hope you’re doing well!
This is a WONDERFUL series!!! Love the serene beginning (and the sign perch…perfect,), the sense of someting approching, then the ready for fight or flee crouch, the “Get your hands in the air!”, the “Shall we dance? whose leading?”, then the Doh-si-doh, and the finale, “I’m outta here,!…these are gems! So dramatic and fun….especially since there’s no sign of bloodshed!
Ha, love your “captions”, Patty. Thank you.
Thrilling to wake up to, Ron – admittedly more thrilling still for the sparring participants! I’m glad that neither of these magnificent young hawks was injured in the fracas. Although I understand your wish to have included all of the hawks’ bodies in each frame, the composition and the positioning are breathtaking. I’m struck by the stoic faces, extended talons and beautiful wing patterns, too. There’s so much going on, all encapsulated in these moments. Thanks so much for sharing this with us, and I always read all your viewers’ comments with great interest, too.
Alison, it may be that these two were only sparring and it wasn’t a particularly serious brawl. I had that impression as I watched it but who knows…
Ron, I’m newly introduced to your day site, although I’ve been looking at Mia’s for a while. These hawk pictures are some of the most exciting I’ve seen, they really capture the excitement/emotion of the birds, who otherwise never show facial cue’s! Yep, you have some clipped body parts but you’ve capture the essence of the moment, at least for me! Thanks you!
Thank you, Alan and welcome to my blog. Interesting that you’d mention the lack of “facial cues” because I thought about that several times with these images – how humans in the same situation would have facial expressions indicative of the situation but birds seldom do.
I know that there is an issue with clipped body parts, but I still think these are great photos. They capture the behavior well. If all the shots were perfect, it would probably look set up to me, not like a real fight, which, by definition, is unpredictable. The ‘imperfections’ in these shots have more to do with real life happening than with your skill as a photographer. 🙂
Susan, over time I’ve become a little more tolerant of clipped birds in action shots. It still irritates me when I do it though…
spectacular!!
Thanks, Lois.
Awesome series and narrative Ron!
Thanks, John – glad you enjoyed the action.
Wonderful action shots Ron. Amazing timing! I can never get enough of your shots. Truly inspirational! Thanks for sharing with us.
Thank you very much, Rich.