some exceptionally good news on the Red-tailed Hawk front!
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Yesterday morning in northern Utah I found this “Gray Ghost” perched in unappealing sidelight so I almost didn’t even stop my pickup for him (besides, don’t harriers always fly off before you can get your lens on them…?). But I often just like to look at birds through my lens so I stopped anyway and when he took off unexpectedly I fired off a burst by reflex. Chances of getting anything useable in this situation were almost nil.
But it turned out that I thought this first liftoff photo was interesting. It isn’t a classic takeoff shot but I like the contrast of the shaded flight feathers compared to the good light on the rest of the body and I was pleasantly surprised to have a good look at his face and eye under his shaded wing. And of course I nearly always find the dynamics of takeoffs appealing.
I do like that harrier shot but the happiest (by far) event of the morning occurred 20 minutes later.
Regular readers will remember the three Red-tailed Hawk chicks whose nest was blown off a power pole (with them in it) in a horrific 80+ mph wind storm several weeks ago. Days later I photographed two of them and saw all three on or near the ground and I posted some photos on my blog of the two I photographed. But since then I’ve only been able to find one of the chicks on the other side of the road and many of us feared the worst for the other two. It’s an extremely perilous existence for chicks on the ground at that tender age and it was me who made the decision not to “rescue” them (with the advice of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah – WRCNU) so I felt the weight of responsibility for that decision.
Since then every time I’ve rounded that last curve in the road before I get to the original nest site my heart has been in my throat for fear I’d find one or more road killed hawk chicks or not find any of them at all.
But this is the sight that greeted me as I approached the bramble pile the single youngster had been on a few days before – three apparently healthy and thriving chicks! They were horribly backlit but of course I don’t care about that – all three of them are ok! And one of their parents was keeping a very close eye on them from a nearby power pole.
Yes, there’s some potentially dangerous barbed wire back there and these birds aren’t out of the woods yet for a variety of reasons but then raptors never are, even after they fledge. They’ve now survived for a couple of weeks on the ground and it won’t be long until they fledge so I have high hopes that they’ll make it.
Those odds beat the hell out of the alternatives for chicks blown out of their nest.
Ron
PS – The next time I passed this bramble pile about an hour later the chicks were nowhere to be seen. That gives me comfort because I know they’re there but just hiding away in the thicket or somewhere in the expanse of very tall grasses.
Ron,
Good news. I thought I was nuts the other day when I didn’t see the nest on the pole. That just goes to show you the value of keeping up on your blog on a daily basis. I do get bogged down with life at times and miss reading your blog. Thanks for the update.
Stephen
YIPPEE!! Thank you SO much for the photos of the little redtails. I’m still having Internet issues, so once again, I’m late, but oh what a delight to these disconnected old eyes! Can you see me doing my Snoopy Dog dance, complete with ear twirlies? YEE HAW! And yes, I know they have many challenges ahead. First off, I wonder how they’ll “fledge,” or more appropriately, take off without gravity and height? I guess they’ll manage one way or another as they have for EONS 😉
Laura, there’s a small tree right next to this brush pile I suspect they’ll use for elevation. BTW, all three chicks were there and looked good again this morning (Sunday).
What time do you usually start photographing? I love the look of the light in your photos and do a lot of No Utah exploring. I can’t quite seem to get your midas touch. I am wondering if I need to start earlier or just adjust my ISO /shutter settings. Thank you for posting the hawk babies.
Doogs, almost invariably I start at dawn. Morning or evening light makes all the difference – it has very little to do with camera settings. This time of year I always quit for the day no later than 10 AM because much later than that light becomes harsh, shadows intense and subjects contrasty. In fact this morning I hung it up just after 9:30 because I didn’t like the harsh light.
Doogs, I’ve answered your question more completely in today’s post (June 26). Thanks for asking the question and for the inspiration!
Lovely, lovely news.
And of course I always smile at britches.
And I always smile in anticipation of your smile, EC. 🙂
The colors in the background of the harrier shot further enhance the ‘greatness’ of this takeoff shot. The wings and tail feathers are beautifully captured, along with those strong looking legs and feet.
It is really great to see those chicks. I’m sure your ‘heart was in your throat’ before you saw them. Hope their good luck continues. Thanks for checking on them.
Alice, that lower background is a green pasture and I like it too.
I hate getting up early…bless you for doing it. Thanks, Alice
Maybe the dead bramble feels more nest like and easier for the parents to find and feed them rather than hiding in the leafy tree next to the bramble? Perhaps Redtails have different instinct of staying in the open in the day unlike young passerines out of the nest who hide in brush for safty. Either way it is good to see they have survived their bumpy start.
Could be, April. Whatever their motivation it seems to be working for them.
Good news so far for the little family. Thanks for updates and pictures.
Thank you, Trudy.
Oh, what a feeling — such a great relief for you (and us) to see the 3 sibs together, with watchful parent nearby. I agree with Marty –“Kermit flail” for sure! And yes, the Northern Harrier is quite a sight, as well. I’m a fan of your unusual take-off shots. Thanks again for keeping an eye out for the little hawks.
Yes, it certainly was a relief, Chris.
Beautifully unconventional photo of the “gray ghost”! Love it. And Yay for the Red Tailed chicks!!
Thank you, Joanne.
Love the unusual take off shot…especially the contrast of light and shadow….Wonderful! And different… Your and Mia’s shots of the baby Red-tails made my day! Have been so worried about their safety…these guy look well-fed, well-developed and well on their way…YAY, HURRAY, WHOOPEE, WEEEEEHAW!!!
The unusual take-off shot is probably going to become one of my favorites….like everything about it….
I’m glad you like it that much. Thanks, Patty.
Thank you for the positive report – seeing the photo of the chicks gave me goose bumps. I’m very happy to know that they are still doing well, and that their parents are still caring for them. The Gray Ghost shot is beautiful – I like the contrast between shade and light, and the feet of a bird that has just taken off are endlessly fascinating.
Thank you, Susan.
Yaaaaaaayyyyyy! *Kermit flail* Three hawklets. 🙂
I really like that takeoff shot — both the angle and the lighting contrast. Most nifty. You really hit all the points of interest: outstretched wings, fanned tail, pantaloons, splayed talons, adorable face con catchlight. Even his allulae are visible.
Good eye on the allulae, Marty. And for me that bright yellow eye makes a positive difference with the head behind the wing and all – it helps my eye to zero in on his face.
So happy and relieved to see all three chicks! Thanks for the update, Ron.
You’re very welcome, Robyn.
YES! 🙂 That makes my day! Amazing how they can “make do” – hopefully they will continue to thrive. Gray Ghost is nice also – normally wouldn’t have to play 2nd fiddle to anything, BUT!
Thanks for noticing the harrier, Judy. 🙂
Yes, finding all three doing well made my day too!
Good News, thanks for keeping us posted!
The chick next to the barbed wire looks like he/she has a full crop.
The adults have been taking good care of them, Dick. I suspect that the parent that wasn’t on the power pole was out hunting for them.
Wonderful to see these chicks have seen the light of day so far. I’ll keep them in my thoughts, and hope that they and you enjoy a long acquaintance!
There’s still a bit to go for them but looking good so far, Alison.
Very cool and I share the excitement. YEH, they all made it so far!
Frank, I’ll keep fingers crossed for the next week or two but so far so good!