Probably the lightest-colored Red-tailed Hawk I’ve ever photographed, other than a leucistic red-tail four years ago.
1/4000, f/7.1, 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
Two days ago I found this Red-tailed Hawk perched on top of a large rocky outcrop in a remote area of Box Elder County. I’m familiar with most of the red-tails in the area this nesting season but “her” distinctive coloring really made her stand out and I’m sure I’d never seen her before.
She hung around the same small area all morning.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
Unlike many raptors I photograph she actually waited while I removed my teleconverter before she eventually took off. Lately it seems as if they usually launch while my camera is still lens-naked.
1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
I was able to get quite a few photos of her as she passed me in flight but today I’m including only three of the better ones (even though for some reason a couple of them are just a tiny bit soft.).
1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM not baited, set up or called in
After this shot she looked away so I lost eye contact.
Her coloring is so pale I’ll admit to having hopes that she might qualify as a Krider’s Red-tailed Hawk but I just don’t think she’s quite white enough. Still, I’ll remember her as a distinctive hawk who actually cooperated with the photographer.
Later that morning I had another even better chance with her but I botched it. As I drove down the dirt road I was trying to ID a songbird perched in a bare tree next to the road on my right and in very poor light (back-lit) when she flew up on my left. She’d been close and in great light but I hadn’t seen her perched there so I spooked her when I got much too close.
That’s bird photography for you. Hopefully she’ll still be there next time I visit the area.
Ron
PS – I forgot to inform my readers that hummingbirds finally showed up at my feeder three days ago. I was so excited that yesterday I actually hung a second feeder right outside my kitchen window so I could enjoy seeing them closer and hopefully more often.
What a beauty!!
I’m thirding the motion of hummingbird pictures 😬❗️
It could happen this summer, Diana. See my reply to Marty.
Two more thoughts. If Laura is correct and “she” is a “he,” wouldn’t it be fun if he and the rufous were mates? I’m having lots of fun imagining those genetic combinations!
Also, I may be alone, but I’d love to see shots of your backyard hummingbirds. (I know you don’t normally shoot birds that aren’t in a “natural” habitat, but hey, hummers! 🐝 (closest emoji I could find)
I second Marty’s notion on your backyard photography … and also want the emoji people to add a hummer, for Pete’s sake! 🙄
Good idea, Chris!
“I’d love to see shots of your backyard hummingbirds”
Marty, it may come to that this summer with the pandemic and various and varying restrictions, Marty.
The second shot is my favorite, although the others are all tied for a very close second. 🙂 I really like the curve of the leading edge of the wings, the contrast between shadow on the body and light on her face, and, of course, the lichen!
Bummer about spooking her — hoping you’ll get many more opportunities to catch her through your lens.
Marty, I was pretty upset with myself for not paying enough attention and spooking her like I did. At least the songbird I was looking at didn’t turn out to be a starling like I thought it might be. It was a Western Kingbird.
Very interesting find. I’d be scratching my head while looking in Sibley: Red-tailed? Ferruginous? Young Swainson’s?
Believe me Lyle, I’ve done my share of head scratching in the past.
Hummers AND a co-operative red-tail. Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day (and some apologies for the today’s ear worm).
They obviously knew it was your birthday.
I never thought of that, EC. It was actually the day before but I always liked my presents early… 🙂
S/he’s really gorgeous
🙂
Male or female, that is a really beautiful hawk! And brings to mind Pale Male of Central Park fame. I hope you will have more opportunities to spot & photograph this awesome raptor. And so very happy for you that the hummers have decided to grace your yard with their presence. 😊
I remember hearing a lot about Pale Male for a few years, Chris. And if I remember correctly he lived for a very long time in Central Park.
Yes, and there’s debate about whether PM is still alive (at 30 years old!) or if the current occupant of the name is a new guy! If he is still alive, he’s been one inordinately lucky hawk considering the number of mates he’s lost through the years.
She is very light. I hope she sticks around and has a mate.
Ditto on both.
While I consistently default to female with redtails, I’d bet my last bippy that one is a male, but no matter. What a BEAUTY (but yes, I’d easy with redtails, birds overall and critters. LOL!). I’ve always admitted to being a fool for the dark/rufous/Harlan’s morphs, but that said, I wouldn’t turn down the opportunity to fly a leucistic/Krider’s OR just a normal, everyday-colored redtail, either! I’m just not that fussy. 😉
Have you seen the rufous morph female?
As for IDing this bird in either the leucistic or Krider’s camp, my guess is you could gather a dozen -ologists together and get a minimum of two dozen different answers. My opinion? Oh what a purdy redtail! LOL!
Laura, there’s at least one rufous female in the general area but I can’t be sure it’s the same bird as in previous years. If it is she’s nesting in a different place, which of course is very possible.
Laura, I’d never ever argue with your bippy. So I’d love to know what makes it say: male? Head? Feet? Overall body?
Sally, in anticipation of Laura’s more knowledgeable response I’ll guess it’s the thickness of his/her tarsi…
Yep the thickness of the tarsi, the beefiness of the feet overall and less so, the thickness/width of the beak. I’ve got a 50-50 shot at being right, but if I’m wrong, I’m fresh out of bippies. With my luck, s/he’s a tweener girl. Without a DNA test… LOL!
The first picture is beautiful ❗️
I’m lucky enough to have hummingbirds year round. My salvia is blooming like crazy and they are loving it right now😍
Enjoy them and your day.
Thanks, Diana. I never get many hummers but I’m hoping the extra feeder brings a few more in close.
Gorgeous bird. The color of Red-tails is so diverse, I wonder at the attempts to ID any one bird as Krider, Harlan’s, and so forth. Do you know if there are genetic differences in those two groups that actually set them apart?
I suspect there are, Sallie – especially with Harlan’s.
I do know that ornithologists are still battling over whether or not Krider’s is a distinct race or subspecies or just another color morph.
Beautiful bird, Ron! The red-tails come in SO many color variations it’s hard to believe they are all red-tails! 🙂
Glad the hummers finally showed up – how fun! 🙂
Found something that is right up there obnoxious wise with Magpies – a flock of Grackles has taken up residence in a spruce tree right by the house! 🙁
Ha, good luck with those grackles, Judy.
I never saw them around here until maybe 10 years ago. Now they’re pretty common in certain areas, including the fishing pond near my home.
Have gotten a few at the feeders in the past few years but NEVER taking up residence! 🙁
What a lovely creature ! I hope she sticks around that area, and you get
a chance to photograph her again—maybe even spot “her” mate and
nest ? It’d be interesting to see the offspring and their coloration……
I’ll certainly be looking for her, Kris.
WOW, Ron!! So glad she cooperated for my favorite Photographer & showed you her stuff. She must have taken your breath away when you first saw her. I’ve been following Cornell’s RTH nest & the female there is the total opposite in coloring being very dark & having been nicknamed “Big Red”. it is so interesting that some of our birds don’t vary in feather color and ones like RTHs who a wide variety of color from one bird to the other. This an especially wonderful blog today!!
Thanks, Jo Ann. I’ve heard a lot about Big Red over the years.
WOW!! That is one gorgeous bird, and your shots are fantastic!
My anthropomorphic moment is that these Red-tails know your vehicle and thus you. Some have stuff on their minds and some want to show-off just for you! Whatever is the real situation I don’t care, I just am happy you are sharing these moments with the rest of us!
Have a great Mother’s Day, stay safe and healthy!
Dick, I’m pretty sure that this particular red-tail had never seen my pickup before. I think she just slipped up and let me get close… 🙂
Beautiful bird, and those in-flight shots are striking especially with that perfect blue sky. Was not aware there was such a thing as a leucistic red-tailed hawk. Great find Ron. Murphy was kind to you. 🙂
I have good days and bad days with ol’ Murph, Everett. Thank you.