By now readers must know how much I like this particular takeoff posture in raptors. For me images like this are full of tension and energy and my mind’s eye wanders as I try to imagine the details of what happened next.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
I found this hawk atop a rocky cliff four days ago near northern Utah’s Promontory Mountains. The bird wasn’t nervous and I took many images of it as it was perched but what I really wanted was takeoff and flight shots so it was a long, tension-filled wait with my finger on the shutter button and my eye glued to the viewfinder before it eventually launched. I like the pose and natural setting even though the light was just a little harsh this late in the morning (9:44 AM). I tried to mitigate that slight harshness during processing.
I actually kept 11 more images of this bird from the burst as it lifted off, flew along the top of the cliff and then dropped down and passed in front of it but many of them don’t give the viewer a great look at the eye. After I review them more carefully I may post the entire series sometime in the future if I like them well enough collectively, despite that issue with the eye.
For me there’s just something a little extra-special about a sequence of photos of a raptor during and immediately after takeoff that can make me overlook some minor imperfections.
Ron
PS – I’m sure readers have noted that I’ve been posting quite a few RTH’s lately. I try to avoid posting too many images of the same species over time but sometimes it just works out that way. With winter coming on, who knows – soon it may be “too many” Rough-legged Hawks or Northern Harriers or Bald Eagles or Pied-billed Grebes or ….? I can only post what I shoot and sometimes they come in bunches. I hope you’ll bear with me if they do.
Nice pose, and I’m hoping you post the sequence. It’s always fascinating to see the positions and motions they make when taking off or landing. That’s not something I tire of. In this image I can’t help but view the hawk as a sandal wearing person in shorts stretching their arms. Not what you intended, I’m sure. 🙂
Red Tail Hawk’s are my favorite bird, so no problem for me. The detail in the wing feathers..Wow! I love the expression in their eyes. Keep shooting Ron. It always makes my day.
Add me to the list of those who are happy with whatever marvel you give us.
And you know what caught my eye today – and I am happy to notice that Patty saw it too.
You have Patty trained, EC!
Awesome shot Ron! Wish you would publish the whole series!
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.
I just don’t know about bearing with you if you post bunches of the same bird… (head shaking) 😇 Anything you post is fine with me. We just saw our first Northern Harrier last week – at a bit of a distance, but close enough to figure out who we were watching – and more of them would be wonderful. I really like the shot you posted today. I find myself trying to know how strong the downbeat of the wings has to be to launch the bird into the air. I guess there’s also push-off with the legs. I can feel the tension in the bird’s body…
Susan, it would have been nice if this image had been taken just a split-second later so the bird was on the tips of its toes as it pushed off. But I’m not complaining…
This one of those “fling” shots I like so much! Nice shot of the britched, too… Can’t wait for “too many” shots and series of Goldens….:-)
Don’t hold your breath for very many photos of Golden Eagles posted here, Patty. I just don’t see them that often and besides I’m usually jinxed with them anyway…
Am holding my breath, anyway—and willing to turn blue…..
I love the raptors and never tire of them nor your photo’s of them! Wonderful shot! Everything “fits” 🙂
Thanks for the encouragement, Judy.
Ron, Another good one. No need for apologies. I never get tired of looking at excellent bird photography, whether its RTHs, eagles, avocets or what ever.
Thank you, Frank.
You hit a nerve Ron, I’ll take as many hawks, falcons, eagles, birds of prey and for that matter any bird you are able to photograph without batting an eye! Now, my favorite is a different story, although I like them all, Golden’s are my favorite eagle, Gyr’s are my favorite falcon, Rough-leggeds are my favorite hawks, etc. etc.
You do what you have to do and we will sit with a cup java each morning and glory in the visual array you provide!!
Sounds like a plan, Dick.
You had to mention Gyr’s… If I ever get my ideal Golden Eagle shot the Gyrfalcon will likely be my next nemesis species.
Just like your license plate, if you see a Vermont plate with GYR 00 then you will know you are looking at my truck!! VBG!!
Wait, do we have naturally occurring Gyr in Utah? We have had them in the rehab but they have been confiscations. I have heard of escaped falconers birds, and I think sometimes intentionally released Gyrs, but an actual “wild” visitor?
It’s rare but it happens, April. I actually photographed one in Feb of 2015 along the AI causeway and my sighting was accepted by the Utah Records Committee. It was only the seventh Gyrfalcon record for Utah and the first in 13 years. Links to photos of that bird below.
https://www.featheredphotography.com/blog/2015/02/12/gyrfalcon-along-the-antelope-island-causeway/
https://www.featheredphotography.com/blog/2015/05/23/it-took-a-gyrfalcon-to-bring-out-the-birder-in-me/
I’m more likely to see them on my trips to Montana than I am here though.
I couldn’t have said it any better, Dick!! What Dick said, Ron!!
Oh WOW! I’ve always loved watching raptors take off in flight. There’s such strength and athleticism involved and I’ve often pondered the idea of just jumping off a ledge (branch, whatever) and trusting that your wings would carry you wherever you wanted to go. Imagine that!
As for the repetition, sometimes, repetition happens in life. You won’t hear any quibbling from me whether it’s redtails or sparrows–or anybody in between. Looking forward to seeing the rest in this series should you have a slow day and need to post them. Of course, there’s the issue that we’re talking a redtail here, but I never tire of your images and thoughts.
Again, THANK YOU!
“I’ve always loved watching raptors take off in flight”
That’s something you see much more often than most of us, Laura. I’m envious…
Ron, you’d be surprised how much time I spend gawking at them in sheer awe, oooohing and ahhhhing! That’s the number two reason I need a good dog in the field (so that I have time to do that).
I’ll never get tired of any species you post. I’m hope you post the series – I love seeing the sequence of events.
Thanks, Linda. That may happen though if I do I’m sure you’ll notice the lack of light in the eye in many of those shots.