Or at least trying to…
In bird photography a given situation is often so fraught with actual or potential conditions that could ruin any possibility of getting good photos that the photographer is torn between sticking it out and hoping something miraculous will happen or moving on and looking for greener pastures. The situation I faced yesterday morning at Farmington is a case in point.
I watched as a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk flew down from a power pole, caught prey (presumably a vole) and consumed it, and then landed on the dark post marked by the red arrow in this photo. While perched the bird was mostly side-lit (as you can see by the shadows at lower left), my view of the hawk was partially obscured by a strange-looking metal post next to the perch and in order to get an angle on the bird from my pickup I had to turn it cross-ways on the road which made me very uneasy about any traffic that might come by. Moving further to my right was impossible because of the road limitations and besides that would only make the side light worse.
So I was stymied by perched shots because of the metal post near the perch and takeoff and flight shots were a dicey situation too. If the hawk took off to my right or left I had a slight possibility of getting light on the face and eye but all the posts and signs were likely to interfere with at least some of the shots (by the way, that’s part of Antelope Island in the background).
1/2500, f/6.3, 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
This is what I saw through my viewfinder (here the hawk slipped on the perch while cleaning its bill so its wings are out). Because of the metal post perched shots were a waste of time and pixels.
The situation wasn’t promising and I was concerned enough about the possibility of traffic approaching that I decided to stow my gear, start my engine and move on down the road. But a split second later the hawk changed my plans when it…
1/3200, f/6.3, 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
took off to my right.
1/3200, f/6.3, 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 managed to get several shots that I like…
1/3200, f/6.3, 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
but I had to squeeze the lemon too hard to get any lemonade out of this one. As you’ll see below I had to cheat.
1/3200, f/6.3, 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
In the “real version” of the previous image the edge of one of the signs is directly in front of the bird so I cloned it out.
1/3200, f/6.3, 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
In this last photo in the series you’ll see that Murphy’s Law prevailed once again. The hawk is soft because my focus points locked onto the sign instead of the bird but at least the hawk is following traffic laws and flying in the direction indicated by the sign… 🙂
For bird photographers there’s nothing new here. Each of us faces similar challenges daily with our unpredictable and recalcitrant subjects. But I thought non-photographers especially might be interested in seeing what often goes into getting (or not getting) “the shot”.
Ron
‘wow, oh wow’ is what came out of my mouth. really do love your explanations and information on the how’s and why’s etc. Also your sense of humour eg …at least the hawk is following traffic laws…
I absolutely love the first two take off shots. The details of the feather patterns curves of the feathers at the wing-tips make them for me. Especially those curved feathers. The “britches” are great, too. I love seeing these birds in the wild, but your photographs help me appreciate their beauty on a whole different – and better – level.
Thanks very much, Susan.
Oh how I miss beginning my day with your photography! And redtails…ahhhhh! Mariah is the only one who is traveling without problems this trip. And driving through Kansas and Colorado, there’s a redtail on nearly every pole. Ahhhhh! Have I mentioned I love redtails? 🙂
I’ve been wondering how your move is going, Laura. I can only imagine the logistical nightmares involved in making such a move with your menagerie. You’re almost there – safe trip the rest of the way!
Love your lemonade.
Sadly I think I would be reaching for the gin if I faced the frustrations you incur on an almost daily basis. And after generously imbibing would miss the golden moments…
Thank you so much for your perserverance.
Don’t think I DON’T reach for the gin, EC, (though in my case it’s more likely to be Canadian Whiskey). Not until I’m through shooting for the day though…
Ron – this is a wonderful series and encouraging commentary for this very Amateur Photographer!! I am always SO amazed at you photos and this blog shows me what you have to go thru to get them!! It gives me hope because I’m faced with your dilemma and didn’t really think about the fact that you are also dealing with these situations!!! I also usually share your blogs on Red-tailed Hawks with my 13 year old Nephew who is learning Falconry with his Social Worker who is an experienced Re-tailed Hawk Falconer!! I know he will LOVE your blog today!!
Good. I hope your nephew enjoys the post, Jo Ann. Please tell him hello from me.
Ron, I know how you hate the detritus we humans leave but the yellow signs with the arrows pointing the path of the bird’s flight gives it motion and speed to me. Love it. And anyway your photos are spectacular with or without humankinds messy additions. Diana
I like that shot with the sign too, Diana. But I’d like it a lot more if the hawk were sharp…
Interesting how the angle of the bird’s wings echo the directional “arrows”….
3,4,5 are beautiful shots…so glad you zapped edge of sign!!! Love the fling of take off and the curved primaries….hard to pick a favorite but I think my vote to the second in the series and the second to last. I wonder what is in the bird’s left talon…vole hair? Grass?
Yes, Patty. I’m almost positive it’s vole hair. The bird captured and ate prey moments before and then cleaned its beak on the wooden post right after it landed there.
Hi Ron,
No deep analysis from me – I like every image in the series. When I saw the first photo, my reaction was that it looked like the kind of place I like to spend my time. So, Antelope Island is now on my list of places to visit. And, although the final image cries out for a cute caption, I think the traffic sign adds to the aesthetic. I spent more time looking at it than I did the others. A very enjoyable wake up!
Cheers,
Dick
I hope you make it to the island one day, Dick. It’s been a magical place to shoot for me over the years.
The very last one? I love it. The humor reaches me. 😀
“The humor reaches me”
Good!
You did a fantastic job of making lemonade! Not only do you have great photographic skills, but they are matched by your editing skills! Marvelous series Ron!
Charlotte Norton
Charlotte, Newer versions of Photoshop make cloning in situations like this one an easy task. Too easy if you ask me…
These are absolutely beautiful!!!. And sorry Ron I have nothing against cloning if it makes the picture better. . And your pictures are not soft. The Golden eagle finally landed on power pole with old insulators and I was close!!! And yet all my images were soft .very soft.. I am in tears.
I’m very sorry to hear about your soft shots, Marina. I know how it feels. Can’t remember, have you had your lens calibrated to your camera?
Great shots, Ron! Even if you had to clone out a bit it was worth it in my opinion. 🙂 The birds perch where they see fit and don’t much care about what we think about it! 🙂 Thx for sharing the series and what challenges you face to get these photos at times. 🙂
Good. I’m glad you appreciate the intent of this post, Judy. Obviously it wasn’t meant to just feature great photos…
These are a great set Ron, beautiful, sharp, feather detail, catchlight in the eye, wonderful series, nice job!!
And, thanks for the first shot allowing us to see the perspective of your shots
Again, you have a young energetic Red-tail that will follow signs – he is certainly going in the right direction according to the last picture!! VBG!.
I’m glad you enjoyed that last photo, Dick. Despite its obvious flaws I think it helps with the story I tried to tell.
Great series Ron. Can’t decide which one I like the best, and, I can’t. Each one of the three has its pros, and cons. What really impresses me is how quickly you reacted when the hawk decided to launch. You had basically decided that it just wasn’t going to happen but when it did, you were able to grab the gear, acquire focus, and get the shots. Just curious? Did the hawk give you some some hint that he had decided it was time to leave so you could get prepared?
Frank, there was no hint the bird was about to take off that I remember. However, I had decided in my mind to leave but I hadn’t yet taken my eye (and my lens) off the hawk so I didn’t have to “grab my gear and acquire focus” again before I got the shots.
Ron, I absolutely love the 3rd image–of course, I’m biased, but the posture, the background and the wee bit of vegetation really work for me–thanks for the lemonade 😉
Pucker up and enjoy the tartness, Christine! Thank you.
Beautiful! And, thanks for sharing the situations that you find to be lemons. When I see your beautiful images, it is all to easy for me to forget that you have the same kind of obstructions all around your subjects that I find around mine here in California.
Sharon, I think “obstructions” (and other complications) are ubiquitous for most of us, most of the time. It usually comes with the territory…
Nice work! Nice feather detail, color,the wing spread on the Red-tail is great! Very nice work!
Thank you, Jim.