Siblings perhaps?
Two days ago after a long drive in the predawn darkness I arrived at my shooting destination only to be greeted by thick smoke at sunrise. Roughly half an hour later the light through the smoke had only improved marginally when I saw my first of several Red-tailed Hawks. In conditions like these whenever an opportunity for takeoff or flight shots presented itself I had to crank up my settings into territory my camera rarely sees.
The photos below are some of my results.
1/1600, f/5.6, ISO 1250, 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 took photos of this juvenile while it was perched but in the takeoff shot that was potentially the best one I badly amputated its wings. In hindsight I should have taken the time to remove my teleconverter but I was afraid the hawk would take off during the process so I didn’t. We make choices and we just deal with the consequences.
But I quite like this rather unusual flight posture after the hawk took off. Given how close I was I’m pleasantly surprised that the the entirety of both wings are sharp since I was shooting at f/5.6. Thankfully we can see the eye and enough of the head to make the photo work for me.
1/1600, f/5.6, ISO 1250, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
In the next shot in the burst the hawk had already begun to level off a little and this time I caught the wings in the up position. The image is cropped vertically because I didn’t have any more room on the right.
1/1000, f/6.3, ISO 1250, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Eight minutes later I encountered what I believe to be a different juvenile, possibly a sibling, and this time I didn’t clip the wings at takeoff.
1/1000, f/6.3, ISO 1250, 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 got a fair number of shots of this bird in flight but this is one of my favorites. The bird is marginally softer in this photo than the others but I I don’t think it’s particularly noticeable and I like this wingspread.
The survival rate of young red-tails at this age is disturbingly low so I wish these youngsters the very best over the next few very difficult months.
Ron
Note to photographers: The brightness of the sky in the last two photos is deceiving given the thick smoke in the air. For the sake of comparison I believe that at these camera settings and at this time of morning on a sunny day my shutter speed would have approached 1/8000 rather than the 1/1000 – 1/1600 I actually got through the smoke.
Smoke matters.
Great photos, very sharp and perfect exposure!
Is impossible to choose just one. They are all lovely. You da best!
I regret that I missed these RTH photos yesterday, but just have to say now — they’re wonderful! The first holds great appeal for its out-of-the-ordinary flight position, but #3 simply speaks HAWK! ♥️ And feel free to post more if you have more! 😉
Oh Laura.
Heartfelt hugs and oceans of caring are flowing your way. Today and every day.
I’m way too late commenting on these OH WOW images, but you knew I’d say that! Such beauty and grace of being, and BONUS, lichen, too!
These are weepy days for me. Thank you for bringing me joy, which is so much more precious now.
I’m so very sorry, Laura. I’ve been thinking of you often lately. Hang in there friend!
Quite different color morph (more like our most common) of your last RTH post, but magnificent just the same.
The sun is starting to cast shadows. Quite an improvement over the last several days.
Thanks, Lyle. I hope your shadows become more pronounced soon.
Wow, wow, and wow.
Knowing how pervasive smoke like that is, I am awed at both of these series.
And my heart aches for the wildlife and their habitat.
Thanks, EC. I suspect you know wildfire smoke about as well as anyone, except for the firefighters themselves.
OMGoodness Ron, LOVE every photo in this series. #1 & #4 are very interesting shots. You’ve captured the majesty of this young bird perfectly!
Thank you!
I’m very glad you like them, Kathleen.
Simply magnificent!
The bird AND the photographs.
You were recently discussing the importance of achieving sufficient shutter speeds, sometimes at the expense of aperture and ISO. Today’s post is a perfect example of doing what’s necessary to make the best of less than ideal situations.
I could watch Red-tailed Hawks all day long. Oh, wait. Done that!
I always appreciate feedback like that from another photographer, Wally. Thank you.
Beautiful 😁 Every single one ❗️And those eyes…
Praying for some rain here in California…
Diana, I know how much we need rain here in Utah but with those terrible fires you folks are enduring you need it infinitely more.
Very nice photos. I wish them well also!
Thank you, April.
Superb series Ron! Thanks for sharing!
Charlotte Norton
Thanks, Charlotte.
Gorgeous shots, just beautiful!!
Man, you did have a ton of fun!!!!
Dick, it was fun but it was also frustrating in that smoke. At least there was a pretty good number of birds around.
That last shot makes my heart sing.
Good. These days singing hearts are an endangered species.
Love ’em all — especially the wing fling and pantaloons (yay!) in #3.
Thanks, Marty.
Beautiful! 😀 Lemonade out of lemons so to speak…..😉 1st photo certainly works for me – can easily see the hawk against a background it tends to “blend with” well. W of Chicago also had the smoke arrive yesterday tho not on the ground. Could see a few stars looking straight up this morning BUT smoke still around and Air Quality Alert in place again. UGH!
Judy, I saw the photo you posted on FB of the gunk in the air at Lake McDonald. Yuk.
Love all of these photos; I must say though these are great given the conditions you describe. If I had to choose the third is my favorite but as I re-look it is difficult to stay at #3. (#3, 2, 1, &4 in that order). I think the pose here, the look on his face, the lichen crusted rocks, and that golden plant make this most pleasing! 😍 The in-focus dried grasses also contribute. This set would have made my day for sure. Anxious to see what else you got. Do you know what that plant is…the golden one?
Addendum…we were to have a sunny day today but doubt that given the conditions of our morning sky. Yesterday was haze, as it is now, and the sun setting last evening was a apricot colored hazy orb. With migration in full swing I can’t help but wonder what these conditions pose for our feathered friends…
Thank you, Kathy. No, I’m afraid I don’t know the name of that plant. I think it’s a well placed addition to that photo though.
That first photo is really outstanding especially considering how sharp it looks against that background that almost matches the hawk’s coloring. Just think what it would look like against a beautiful blue sky. All excellent photos.
My brother in suburban Boston reported this morning that the west coast smoke has finally arrived there. I saw a chart showing how the jet stream picks it up and sends it eastward.
Thanks, Everett. Personally I prefer this to a plain blue sky background.
I saw a report two days ago that the smoke had already reached Vermont.
Ron – I should have included that I love it the way it is and if I was purchasing a print of it I would want this one, but just pointing out how gorgeous it would also look against a bright blue sky. Of course if there is such a thing today. 🙂
Don’t give it a second thought, Everett. I never, ever have a problem if someone has preferences different than mine. Besides, I’d be the first one to admit that my tastes are often suspect.
Just. Wowwwwww. Love all the individual feathers you expertly captured.
Thanks very much, Heidi.