It’s been a while since I’ve liked one of my Red-tailed Hawk photos as much as I do this one.
Yesterday was a good day for raptors in northern Utah. My subjects included Golden Eagles, Rough-legged Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks, Prairie Falcons and Turkey Vultures and I also observed several species I didn’t photograph including Short-eared Owls, American Kestrels and Northern Harriers.
But it was the Red-tailed Hawks that really stole the show. They were numerous and even fairly cooperative as they performed behaviors related to nesting and mating. It’s an exciting time of year.
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
I caught this one at the moment it lifted off from sagebrush and I love the forward sweep of the wings, the beautiful flared red tail, the excellent eye contact and the mixed background of bright blue sky and hillside. There’s light on almost the entire visible surface of the bird and in my experience that happens only rarely with a raptor in flight.
I really enjoy this forward wing position and I have a theory as to why it occurred in this situation. While perched the bird had settled so far down into the sage that many spiky twigs were poking up around it that would have interfered with a more typical wing-beat direction on the first stroke. Usually the first wingbeats are more vertical and downward but in order to avoid the twigs the hawk swooped its wings more forward to provide that needed initial lift. The result was this wing position that I like so very much. Perhaps readers with more raptor experience than I have (falconers or rehabbers) will provide some insight on my theory, one way or another.
I’ll be posting more Red-tailed Hawk photos in the near future. For now I have hundreds of photos from yesterday to review and cull.
Ron
Art in motion, for sure, but without you passion and talent, we couldn’t enjoy it the way you allow us to.
Splendid! You know you’ve got me at redtail and that’s an exquisite shot!
That is a majestic, outstanding photo that you should be proud of.
Beautiful picture of one of my favorite raptors. Thank You for having so many of them to enjoy!
The fascinating thing for me is what a work of art they are, and this posture shows that off so well. The colors, the banding, the flow of form and gesture. It really is art in motion, glad you got it so well.Nicely done.
“really is art in motion”
Thank you for the very nice compliment, Ron.
That’s a keeper alright! Lucky you to see that many raptors in a single day!! Beautiful photo and I can understand why it is😊
Yup, it was a great day for raptors, Linda. Thank you.
Great photo! That is a whole lot of raptors in one day!
On the meadowlark, bison poop post: I have meant to tell you this since that post, but haven’t been able to comment in time! One time my friends and I were camping in the eastern Sierras (Sierra Nevadas) a mountain range to the NE of here, you are probably familiar with them. There are cattle that roam the grassy, forested, lower parts of the mountains, and their poop is all over the place. Sometimes you have to bang pots and pans at them hen they come near camp. I remember my little 8 pound dog running up to a 200 pound bull with quite the horns, and barking. But to the point! When my friends and I were running around in the woods, one time we tried to play baseball. But what to play it with, we wondered. So finally we took a stick and a cow patty, and used that!
Levi
Sometimes ya gotta be resourceful when you’re out camping, Levi! Thank you .
One more question. Where were you when you took this photo. As we live in the SLC area, we’d like to go there to see quite an extensive list of birds. Thanks, Alice
Very sorry Alice but it’s my policy to not disclose locations of nesting birds.
Not a problem. It is a good policy. Thanks for your reply.
Thanks for understanding, Alice.
Oh. How very, very beautiful. With a hint of britches too.
I actually wondered if you’d notice those britches, EC. Thank you.
Of course I noted the britches. My eye for britches is unparalleled.
🙂
You just keep on delivering beautiful shots to us. This photo is so marvelous that it almost seems posed. So much enjoy your blog and thank you for sharing your photos with us.
Thanks, Alice. IMO it’ll be hard for me to top this one.
Simply spectacular, Ron. As I join many others in mourning the untimely loss of Ezra, the male of the Cornell Red-tailed Hawks cam pair, it’s good to be reminded that — quite fortunately — his species lives and thrives in the world beyond web cams. I can never get enough of these images, so I look forward to the others you have to share in the days ahead.
Thanks, Chris. I’ve been hearing about Ezra. It’s a sad loss.
Oh. WOW.WOW!WOW!!!
Awesome detailed wonderfully lit red tail! love it!
Thank you, Beth.
Ditto! This is a most coolamatious shot! The wing and tail positions, the surroundings, the light, and the way his head is turned toward you. Sigh. 🙂
You need to move into one of those old castles that has a fireplace in every room because you’ve taken another mantel-worthy shot! 😉
Coolamatious works for me, Marty. Thank you.
Perfection.
🙂
Beautiful photo, wonderful lighting. I am envious of your day out. I was antsy all day because I had to work on such a nice day, but I don’t envy all the culling you will have to do!
Sorry you missed such a beautiful day with lots of raptors out and about, April.
Magnificent!
Thanks, Robyn.
I join the wow chorus!
And I thank you for it, Kent.
Love not only the very unique wing position, but the three planes, the foreground, midground and background, all add to the special beauty of this image….
Good point, Patty. Thank you.
Well, someone else already said what I was going to say but I’m going to say it anyway….
WOW! WOW! WOW!
Thanks, thanks, thanks, Judy! 🙂
An air-born Flamenco dancer , swirly feather shawl in motion ! So unusual as well as gorgeous…….
An apt comparison, Kris!
Where the heck is Laura??? I agree with everything everyone else has said…an amazing image…unusual pose!!!!
I imagine she’ll be along soon, Patty. But with her busy schedule, who knows… Thank you.
Absolutely gorgeous!
Thanks, Tana.
I say ditto to everyone’s comments. It’s exquisite. These are the kinds of images that kindle something wild and joyous inside me, and in many others, I suspect.
Nice of you to say so, Alison. Thank you.
Simply spectacular, Ron! What a rush! Love it when it all comes together at the same time. 🙂
As do I, Diane. Wish it happened more often!
Awesome shot Ron!!
charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
WOW, WOW, WOW – Ron this is a stunning capture of a Red-tailed Hawk!!! I’m definitely sharing your blog with my nephew who is turning 14 next month. He has been so lucky to make friends with a teacher who is a Falconer when away from the classroom and this teacher has introduced him into this very interesting field. Nick just loves it and I know he will go crazy when he sees you photo – and I don’t blame him – I’m blown away myself. With all the raptors you were able to see and photograph, you must have had a big grin on your face the whole time you were out “doing your thing”!!!
I bet Laura is loving your blog today too. We know how much she loves these magnificent raptors!!
Yup, it was a fun morning with the raptors, Jo Ann. I hope your nephew enjoys the photo.
I have to agree, what a beauty!! Wonderful capture!
Looking at the primaries from a carvers point of view, imagine the delicacy and craftmenship to carve that right wing and the separated primaries so that they look right and real.
No, I’ve got too many projects and I’m still working on the Short-eared pattern and trying to find a solid piece of basswood.
Ha, that right wing would keep you busy for a while, Dick. Good luck with your full plate!
I usually try not to duplicate, but I have to vote strongly for “Wow! It is a beautiful shot of a beautiful bird.”
Duplicate all you want, Richard. Thank you.
OHHHHHHHHH! WOW! It’s obvious why you REALLY love this shot! Just stunning how it came together for you! 🙂 Beautiful bird!
Yup, I think this one is kinda special, Judy. Thanks.
And the foot.
🙂
Beautiful inspiring capture!
Thank you, Joanne.
Doesn’t get any better than this great photo. Just stunning.
Thanks very much, Dick.