Red-tailed Hawk Take-off In A Sunflower Setting

For some, raptors and flowers may seem like an incongruous combination but I like the contradiction.

 

red-tailed hawk 2936 ron dudley

1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in

The background may be a little cluttered but I have an unobstructed look at the hawk as it lifted off which is unusual in a setting like this.

This is actually the attacking hawk from my post of two days ago – Fighting Red-tailed Hawks.  Immediately following that aerial fracas this bird landed near the base of the sign post that the victim of its attack had been perched on and from that position watched the other hawk fly off.  A couple of seconds later this bird did the same.

I provide the following image for context only.

 

 

red-tailed hawk 2940 ron dudley

1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in

Those who saw the first post will recognize the sign that the first hawk had been perched on when this one attacked.  Perhaps I should have included these two images in the original post but I ran out of time and since the birds aren’t fighting in these shots I just decided to post them separately.

Ron

15 Comments

  1. What a terrific exclamation point for the entire series on this magnificent raptor! Isn’t that a song title: “Red-tails In The Sunflowers”?

  2. Great pix -Ron! good looking hawk.

  3. The first shot looks like the opening sequence of an aerial ballet. Flowers and ballet are a natural fit – so they belong.
    And you have captured a truly elegant, powerful dancer for us to admire. I like the sign as a prop on the stage setting too.

  4. I agree, the first shot is quite elegant! Thrust out chest, upward wings and talons, just majestic Ron. Great capture!

  5. Oh boy! These are spectacular shots Ron! Thanks for sharing!!
    Charlotte

  6. Love the composition, colors and elements of the first one…and upward fling quality of wings and feet, with those fearsome talons….again got a kick out of the juxtaposition of that very focused, efficient hunter and the sign…like an eagle against a “No Fishing” sign…

  7. I, too, like the combination of flowers and raptor. If the raptor is on the ground, flowers are a natural background. It was fun seeing the no hunting sign again with the hawk – the laugh was as good this time as it was last time.

    • I enjoy seeing them hunting from these signs too, Susan. Kestrels are notorious for doing so in this area but sadly I’m sure not seeing as many of them as I used to…

      • Of course Kestrels would do that! I’m very sorry you’re seeing fewer of them. Our pair that nested last year did so again this year, but the babies didn’t fledge until August this time. They were nesting on the back side (for us) of the palm tree they like, so we couldn’t really see much, but I think they had two babies this year. After getting to watch them so closely they have become my favorite bird – they have such wonderful, feisty personalities. I hope they turn around in your area and become more abundant again. IMO the world needs more Kestrels.

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