We do what we have to do to get the shot (as long as it’s safe for both bird and photographer).
Birds are unpredictable and fast and opportunities for good photos are often (usually?) hard to come by. So when an unanticipated chance at potentially interesting photos suddenly presents itself it behooves us to be prepared to respond instinctively and appropriately. And very quickly.
Sometimes it even pays off.
1/5000, 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
Yesterday morning as I was driving along a lonely remote road this rufous Red-tailed Hawk approached my pickup from behind me and to my left. It was flying faster than I was driving and by the time I saw it I knew I had no time to stop before aiming my lens its way because by then the hawk would be long past me. So I simultaneously slowed down a little as I grabbed my camera from my lens caddy next to me, stuck my lens out the window and fired off a quick burst of nine shots in less than a second. Surprisingly I didn’t clip any body parts in any of them but most of them were slightly soft, or had unappealing flight poses or insufficient room in front of the bird.
But this single photo was sharp, I got a nice head turn from the hawk that allowed a catch light in the eye and I had enough room in front of the bird for a pleasing composition. By the time I took the photo it was mid-morning (10:04) so the light is a little harsh but to make up for it the sun angle provided an interesting shadow of the head and beak on the wing.
As I finished the burst I glanced down at my speedometer and noticed I was still traveling at 23 mph. It goes without saying that I would never attempt such a shot if there had been any chance of approaching traffic but it’s a remote road and I could see for great distances in both directions so I knew there were no other vehicles in the area.
I’ve used this quote before but it seems appropriate here so once again I’ll quote hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky:
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
Ron
Notes:
- Readers may remember how excited I was earlier this spring to finally get some nice shots of the rufous female Red-tailed Hawk I’d been after for some time. I now know there’s a relative glut of rufous red-tails in this area. Within about 20 miles of each other there are three rufous red-tails. I’ve confirmed that two of them are nesting and since this one is an adult it probably is too.
- This shot is one more example of why I like to use faster shutter speeds than most bird photographers prefer in most situations. All the vibrations from a moving vehicle and my long focal length (effectively 1120mm) adds up to a recipe for soft shots when slow shutter speeds are used.
5/5/2019 featheredphotography.com does it again! Very thoughtful site and a well-written post. Thanks!
I SO love your work and a bonus rufus redtail. Made me smile 🙂
That’s amazing the picture is so clear.
Thanks, Jean.
That’s a super flight shot you got there Ron! Talk about multi tasking!
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.
What an amazing shot.
I was also very, very happy to learn of the relative glut of red-tails.
Thanks, EC. It was nice to see.
Sprayin and prayin to a new level for sure. Sure wish I could do that!!
Give it, or something like it, A try, Jerry. Thanks.
Nice capture, I would probably end up in the ditch trying that shot! There seems to be less wildlife again this year. I hope it is not a permanent trend.
You missed the cattle drive, I got caught in it, I should have asked the rancher if Haley could help, she can handle a horse well, she would just need some instruction on the cattle. It is something she has always wanted to do.
Tomatoes, you are brave, I don’t put mine in til Mothers day. I am still working on conditioning my small plots. I have not felt well enough for the past 2 months to tackle them and are just starting.
April, avoiding the ditch is easier when I use my knee for steering straight. But keep in mind I’m not going very fast and I only have both hands off the wheel for several seconds.
I’m always happy to miss cattle drives. We saw them getting ready though.
I’ll cover my tomatoes if I have to but most often when I plant them this time of year it isn’t necessary.
Regarding less wildlife: I agree and part of it is likely due to the two assholes who were out hunting coyotes in their plane about the same time I saw you. They buzzed me illegally and then after they passed and came back a few minutes later I could see a rifle next to the passenger in my photos of the plane. The N-number of that plane shows it’s registered to a private pilot who lives in a small town in the area.
Do you think that the relative glut of Rufous Red Tails could be because they are generationally related?
I can’t see why it couldn’t be a possible explanation, John. I’d guess it’s a long shot though
Congrats on a terrific capture, Ron!! Talk about multitasking!!
Thanks, Jo Ann. This time it just worked out, often it doesn’t.
Ron, quite a feat. Your ability to catch this photo is remarkable. 23 mph is a good speed. It is a good thing that you weren’t also trying to eat a chocolate donut because you were starving. I read the link in response to John Gilbert and found it so interesting to again read about what it takes for you to be so successful. Us readers are so lucky that you love doing what you do and share the results with us. Thank you, Ron.
Alice, if I hadn’t already eaten my donut…. who knows what I might have done! 🙂
Unbelievable! Except there it is. You may have your super handy lens caddy but there is still the considerable feat of hoisting that hefty camera and lens up, over and out. Plus aiming. Plus staying on the road. Low ISO to cap it off.
Maybe you’re a lefty, but even then! Bad back and all. And recently mauled by no-see-ums.
Bird photography on the wild side.
Great shot of one fine hawk.
Ha, I couldn’t wipe my own backside with my left hand, Dave. And that’s the truth.
After so much practice over the years the process of lifting my gear out of the caddy and pointing it out the window is now a fluid and quick motion, thanks to repetition and muscle memory. I can even keep my eyes on the road or on the bird while doing it.
Being such a creature of habit has its rewards.
Me either. I was originally a leftie. My parents let it be. When I went to kindergarten the teacher tied my left hand behind my back. It took. I find it very, very difficult to use my left hand for anything.
What that teacher did sounds cruel to me, EC.
What a great shot. You may be a contender for fastest shot in the west. Here in Washington you could get busted for this:
“A person who uses a personal electronic device while driving a motor vehicle on a public highway is guilty of a traffic infraction and must pay a fine…”
Thanks, Lyle.
Here’s the definition of a personal electronic device (PDF) from the rule-making committee of the aviation industry. I presume it also applies to other applications.
“A PED is A Portable Electronic Device (PED) is any piece of lightweight, electrically-powered equipment. These devices are typically consumer electronic devices capable of communications, data processing and/or utility. Examples range from handheld, lightweight electronic devices such as tablets, e-readers, and smartphones to small devices such as MP3 players and electronic toys.”
So, technically I’m going to claim immunity because neither my camera or my lens is anywhere near “lightweight” 🙂
Besides, I never said I was on a public highway, only a “road”…
WOW great shot. Excellent detail. I like this composition, head cocked to the right looking down on you. You mentioned car caddy. What do you use? How did you ever get a 500mm lens out your window quick enough to capture this image? Ron you are the man.
John, when I first started photographing birds seriously I made what I call a lens caddy. With modifications for different vehicles I’ve used the same one for about 10 years now and I absolutely love it. It securely and safely holds my lens right next to me and the camera/lens combo can be lifted out easily and quickly in one swift motion for use – which is exactly what I did yesterday.
Details here if you’re interested:
https://www.featheredphotography.com/blog/2017/04/04/the-nuts-and-bolts-of-feathered-photography/
Not sure I could get a shot that good if I was stationary and totally ready and prepared. Amazing Ron, and such a beautiful hawk. I really like the shadow effect of the inside left wing.
Thank you, Everett. A little more practice and I’ll bet you could…
WOW! I’d be in the ditch and my set up would never handle this shot!!! 🙂 Beautiful! Glad there are more rufus hawks around – don’t think I’d ever tire of them! 🙂 We’re doing a spring blizzard – snow not too heavy so far – good thing trees aren’t more leafed out than they are! 🙁 Wind howling and supposed to go down to 18 tonight – bulbs/rhubarb/asparagus aren’t going to like THAT! 🙁 Awhile ago in Gt. Falls it was NW at 37 gusting to 46…….
Ahhhh, spring in MT! So many memories…
I planted my tomatoes a couple of days ago.
Be “awhile” here yet!
Yesterday in a Facebook post some of my Cut Bank friends were talking about gardening. Several of them said that they won’t even consider putting tender vegetables in their gardens until after Memorial day and even then you’d better be prepared to cover them when a cold front arrives, which it invariably will.
Memorial Day is the “marker” for tenders like tomatoes here also……. 😉