I think the plumage colors and patterns on this hawk are striking, especially when seen from behind.
Yesterday morning I had my second encounter with this bird. I’m almost certain they’re one and the same hawk because of its distinctive red colors and plumage patterns and both times it was in the same small area near a nest I followed last year. We saw another Red-tail (a light morph) nearby that may turn out to be the mate of this bird and I suspect they’re using that nest this year.
Here’s the bad news: I’m beginning to think there’s a photographer’s curse on this hawk. Readers may remember my first encounter with this bird, posted 8 days ago when after driving so far to get there the skies were unexpectedly socked in with clouds so I had dismal light the entire morning. Well… the same thing happened again yesterday. As expected (based on the forecast and the satellite imagery) skies were sunny most of the morning but just prior, during and after my time with this hawk a huge thick “cloud from hell” followed me everywhere I went so the light on this bird was dismal once again.
It wasn’t quite as bad as it was the time before but it was bad enough.
1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 1000, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
When I first trained my lens on the hawk it was perched on this lichen-covered rock and facing away from me (you’ll see one of those photos in a minute). But for this shot and the next one I caught the bird just after it turned to my left and began to take off in that direction. This is one of the most strikingly red Red-tails I’ve ever photographed.
Because of the poor light I was shooting at ISO 1000 and f/5.6 and initially I had enough shutter speed to get the entire bird sharp.
1/1250, f/6.3, ISO 1000, 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 two clicks later my SS dropped to 1/1250 (I shoot in aperture priority) so I had some pretty severe motion blur in the wingtips. The rest of my photos in the series were either too soft or I clipped or cut off body parts (I was just a little too close for flight shots).
Despite the poor light I still like the flight shots but what really took my breath away (literally) was my view of this bird while it had its back to me before it took off.
1/1250, f/5.6, ISO 800, 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 remember saying out loud “What a beautiful bird!” as soon as I saw it in my viewfinder. I’m far from an expert on Red-tail plumage patterns and color morphs but from this angle at least the hawk was one of the most striking of the species I’ve ever seen, much less photographed. The highly contrasting reds and near-whites on its wings when combined with the red tail of the adult made my little heart go pitter-pat. Obviously it isn’t a great shot but what a great bird.
Dang, I hope I have some decent light for my next encounter with this hawk, presuming it happens…
Ron
PS – Apologies for posting so many Red-tailed Hawks recently (I’m afraid that even Laura Culley is about to get tired of seeing them so often…). But I can only post what I shoot and lately that’s been Red-tails.
I enjoy seeing all your work, but like Laura, most especially the Red Tails. I can never tire of seeing them on your page. More Please!
Hey Carolyn!!
What a beautiful red red-tail hawk you photographed. I hope the offspring are as gorgeous. Never get tired of look at this bird.
Thank you, Ron
Yep, Sybby knows me well 🙂 I’ll NEVER tire of redtails (or Harris’ hawks, but you don’t seem to have any there–it’s too cold…LOL!). And I’m especially enamored of the rufous morphs or Harlan’s hawks. But I’m basically a fool for redtails, so no worries 😉
Ooops…and Oh MY! She’s a BEAUTY–even when you factor in my bias! WOW!! I’ll send you some positive sunshine juju now!
Good to know, Laura!
Fantastic bird! Hope you get more chances with photographing it and sharing your wonderful images. And, No, Laura will never tire of your photos of Red Tail Hawks…it’s not in her DNA! lol
“it’s not in her DNA!”
In Laura’s case I believe there’s some truth in that, Sybby!
Striking indeed and smashing shots Ron!
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.
I’d never get tired of Red Tails — especially one as striking as this one! Looks like the ol’ genes didn’t get the memo that the species is Red TAILed Hawk. 😉 Love the red pantaloons!
Saw about a dozen Coots frolicking and squabbling in the flood control channel yesterday and a lizard doing “pushups” trying to impress a lizardette today. Spring has sprung! 🙂
Marty, Our spring has taken a short vacation today – blustery, windy and rainy. Then we’re “supposed” to have one nice day tomorrow before it gets nasty again for an extended period. Drats!
What a beauty. Appears to be what Sibley shows as an intermediate plumage color? I don’t know if they occur here in the northwest; thanks for the great images. Interesting feather and lichen display.
Yes, Sibley would call this an intermediate bird but this hawk is much more red than most and I think those white markings on the topside of the wings when they’re folded are extraordinary.
I strongly suspect that Laura belongs to the ‘too many red-tails would be barely enough’ category. WHAT a bird!!! Beautiful despite the difficult conditions. So very beautiful. Despite the weather conditions you were incredibly lucky to see it. And to see it more than once.
Yup, lucky I was, EC. And I hope to get even luckier next time with some decent light.
Speaking of: Laura, where are you? 😀
Sorry Marty…a falconer friend and I took my two-year-old Brittany out for field training with the Edison medicine (shock collar). I’ve always felt inadequate with that and Cody just takes off, ignoring everything only to return about 20 minutes later (give or take). I REALLY need help in the field, Cody is a hunting dog, so it’s time he learned his job. The good news is we only had to use the collar once. He got the idea immediately. So a couple more trips and he should be a good partner. Oh, and after that, there was a necessary nap 😉 I’m old now. Naps are good!
Lovely pictures. The day that Laura gets tired of red-tail pictures will be a terrible day indeed!
Thanks, Muspic.
Yes! That is an incredibly beautiful bird. And nice photos as well – despite poor light Thanks!
Thank you, Joanne.
I understand your concerns because you are a perfectionist but I would be very content with these quality photos. The lighter background colors really brought out the “redness” in this Red-Tail Hawk. Congratulations Ron!
Thanks, Skip. I DO like these images and I was happy to get them. It’s just that they could have been much better in different light and I had already photographed that bird in poor light earlier.
The coloring is just gorgeous. Please don’t apologize for too many pictures of red-tailed hawks‼️ We had some good sighting yesterday of one, a red shouldered and a beautiful Cooper’s hawk. Happy days😃
Thank you, Diana.
Great shots as always Ron. Our most common hawk, but so beautiful when caught by skilled photographers such as yourself. We who are not so skilled or don’t have the cameras and equipment you have laugh at what you call less than great. Really enjoy seeing these photos every morning. Curious, do you have Common Black Hawks in that part of Utah. We have them here except in the winter. We should start to see them again very soon. Also Ron, wanted to say thanks to those of your followers who wished me a happy 80th yesterday.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
No, we don’t have Common Black Hawks here, Everett.
However in 2014 I photographed one (poorly) in my area that apparently got lost in its wanderings – it’s quite rare to see one here.
https://www.featheredphotography.com/blog/2014/11/07/forsters-tern-with-prey-and-a-common-black-hawk-in-utah/
Yesterday I took the opportunity to take the Auto Tour at MBR for the first time. It was a wonderful experience and saw quite a different collection of birds. Some I had not seen before and would not have been able to identify without the knowledge I have gained from you. Thank you.
I’m glad you enjoyed the experience, Betty. And that what you’ve learned here contributed.
That is a gorgeous flyer! I don’t think I would ever tire of seeing pictures of red-tails. Where I grew up, we also saw red-shouldered hawks. 😀
Thanks, Arwen. I’ve never even seen a Red-shouldered, unless I saw a few when I was a kid living in CA.
I disagree with your assessment of the photo. I would give anything to see that bird much less take that last shot! That is one Beautiful Bird! Lucky, lucky you!
“That is one Beautiful Bird! Lucky, lucky you!”
I couldn’t agree more with both of those observations, Kathy. Thanks.
Your poor-quality shots are better than most of my good ones, lol. Beautiful bird by the way, I think western Red-tails are far more likely to have that much red coloring than any eastern ones.
That’s my understanding too, Xavier. Thank you.
GORGEOUS hawk, Ron! 🙂 Congrats on catching it even if conditions weren’t ideal and they aren’t “exactly” as you’d like. 😉 The rusty red matches the lichens on the rock making it a perfect perch. Pattern on the back is amazing. A one of a kind bird methinks…………. Hopefully he is part of the pair nesting and you’ll be able to get other shots in better conditions as the summer progresses. You must have felt like “Charlie Brown” with the cloud following you around. 😉
Yeah, I used some creative Montana-style cursing on that damned cloud, Judy!
It would be interesting to see what color morphs the offspring turn out to be, given what the parents look like. Hopefully I’ll eventually find out…
Question? Do birds colors reflect what part of the country they are from? And why would the colors be different?
They can in some instances and situations, Steven. Certain color morphs are only (or usually) found in certain areas and not others. I assume the “why” part of your question would be related to natural selection occurring with partial or complete geographical isolation.
I agree, magnificent, colorful dark morph, certainly a beauty! Love the colors under the wing as well as the back.
That would be a life variety for me Ron, never have seen a really dark morph, in between colors, but not a beauty like this one.
Congratulations.
Thanks, Dick. It’s my understanding that this morph is rare (or even nonexistent) in the east. Is that correct?
Yes, as far as I know. If it ever occurs birders would drive (including me) far and wide to see it.