Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk – In Flight And Perched

I’m surprised by how few Red-tailed Hawks I’ve been able to photograph lately but yesterday morning this juvenile in Box Elder County gave me a few chances.

 

red-tailed hawk 7806 ron dudley

 1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in

Sadly I botched most of those chances. The first time I encountered the bird it was perched on a perfect rustic fencepost next to the road in good light but I didn’t see it until it was too late. But later in the morning I found the same bird along the same stretch of road and it gave me a few seconds as it perched on this fence gate-latch post. I think it’s quite a handsome specimen.

Just before it landed here the bird gave me an in-flight opportunity…

 

 

red-tailed hawk 7794 ron dudley

 1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in

and I was able to get a few shots that I like, including this one. The hawk is almost head-on which isn’t usually my favorite angle on a bird in flight but this one works for me for a variety of reasons. Somehow the hawk in this posture reminds me of a B-52 bomber and I also appreciate the fact that I was able to get it in full flight (legs tucked into flight position rather than trailing behind just after take-off). I also like the somewhat unusual background.

Other than Burrowing Owls it’s been a slow raptor summer for me so I hope this bird was a harbinger of better things to come…

Ron

 

 

10 Comments

  1. Simply gorgeous!

  2. Sharon Constant

    He is so handsome. I love the way he looks standing on his rustic post. Beautiful image.

  3. Charlotte Norton

    Wonderful Ron!
    Charlotte

  4. I love that amazing downward sweep. There is such power in that movement.

  5. Flight is an evolutionary miracle I am sad that we didn’t acquire.
    Love the spread of the wings, the curl of the feathers, the intensity of the gaze. The plumage is special too.

  6. I love these hawks and am glad you’re seeing them. I always worry about the young ones. A lot of them don’t make it because of inexperienced hunting skills and many other factors stacking fate against them.

    • “A lot of them don’t make it…”

      You’re surely right about that, Patty. Those juvenile birds have a lot to learn before they have the skills and experience to survive, especially through their first winter.

  7. That is a handsome Hawk. You captured the underside of the bird nicely. The feathers are beautiful, and we seldom get to see that side. Nice job Ron!

Comments are closed