Plus my feeble attempt at a landscape photo.
1/1250, f/6.3, 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
Ten days ago I found this immature Cooper’s Hawk hunting the edge of a mountain range in northern Utah. It disappeared around a rocky point but as I came around the point the hawk was perched on a high ranch gate. As I approached the bird it moved to this fence rail near the gate where it stuck for a few photos.
This was one of the first smoky mornings we had this season and it shows in these photos but I think mostly in a good way. The smoke raised minor havoc with my camera settings and shutter speed but it diffused the warm early morning light and I like its effect on both the bird and the background. My lens is known for producing a pleasing bokeh and in my view it was only enhanced by the effects of the smoke.
If you prefer here’s a horizontal crop of the same photo. Personally my preference is the vertical for the better detail and because the sharpness of the fence rail trails off to the left in this horizontal version.
1/2000, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
When the bird turned on the perch to potentially take off in a direction conducive to flight shots I removed my teleconverter in order to have more room in frame for open wings. But instead the hawk simply hunted from its perch instead of taking off so it was a mistake to remove my tc.
Here we see the hawk scanning the vegetation below the fence rail for potential prey. The yellow in the background is blooming sunflowers.
1/2000, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
After quite a while the hawk pooped which I knew probably signaled imminent takeoff. I was right but it took off mostly away from me so those takeoff and flight shots didn’t turn out.
I’m fully aware that many if not most of my readers see and get close to Cooper’s Hawks far more often than I do. But to me they’re a pretty big deal because it’s unusual for me to see them in my part of the city and in the remote areas I typically look for birds they’re spooky and extremely difficult to approach.
I believe the main reason this bird allowed me a close approach was its relative youth and inexperience.
Ron
On an unrelated note:
Last night I found this photo from my recent camping trip to Montana and Idaho hiding on one of my memory cards that I use on my backup camera. I wish I’d posted it earlier but I’d forgotten I’d even taken it.
1/200, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM @ 135 mm, handheld
On an earlier post I mentioned that before the smoke rolled in I could see the Teton Range from my campsite on the mountain. This was my view out my trailer window just before dawn on my first morning there. We see only the tips of the Tetons poking up through the haze hanging low in the wide valley.
I don’t believe that haze is smoke from the fires. This is what the Tetons have typically looked like from the mountain on earlier camping trips to the area and we had clear blue skies the entire day this photo was taken. The next morning the smoke had rolled in so the Tetons were completely hidden. That’s the morning I came home.
I just think it’s a rather unusual view of the ‘back side’ of the iconic Tetons so on a whim I decided to include it.
The Tetons And The Snake River, Ansel Adams 1942, Public Domain (taken while Adams was working for the US Government)
Which is definitely not to say that it’s any competition for this dramatic photo taken by Ansel Adams in 1942 of the front side of the Tetons.
The vertical shot does direct attention to the marvelous plumage details, such as the emerging gray adult tail feathers, but horizontal view places the bird in its habitat. I am happy that Ansel Adams (and you) did not choose a vertical format for the majestic Tetons!
I have seen colour shots of in the same view as what Ansel Adams saw in stock photos. amazing light. There is such mystery in fog and /or smoke. I did feel intrigued by the silhouette of the peaks. I know we have Cooper’s Hawks but I don’t think I have ever seen one. Not sure if I could I.D. it but will have to wait and see. I have never known anyone who can capture poop shots like you do. The light and colours are very soothing.
I might quibble with your comment that people often see Cooper’s hawks in their neighborhoods. They SHOULD see them frequently, but I don’t think many do. It’s the frequently/often part that’s the issue 😉
And just so you know, I LOVE the slice shots. That tells me the bird is eating well and is properly hydrated. In short, you get to learn way more about poop than you ever thought possible with kids and critters. LOL!
Of all the places I’ve lived, and that list is pretty long, Ranchester, Wyoming is probably my favorite. No, it is my favorite. That was a wonderful three years. But that love affair began in my first trip there with my family back when I was 12-ish years old and we visited my dad’s family in Jackson Hole. There’s an outrageous majesty in the Tetons that resonated with my soul at the first glance. If only the RA would allow my hands to operate in temps below 40 degrees. But NOOO!
Laura, I’m basing my comment on reports from my readers, many of whom seem to see Cooper’s Hawks often. But you’re probably right about the general population.
And you’re right about poop. One of the many things worse than poop is no poop at all – for birds and for humans…
Damn paparazzi. Who doesn’t attend to bathroom duties before they go out?
I am a fan of the vertical crop too. And adored your landscape shot. Very different to Ansel Adams but a definite keeper. And looking out to see that in the early morning would make my day.
It made my day too, EC. At least the first day. The second day that view had gone to hell in the smoke.
Beautiful shots. I agree on the very nice bokeh.
You do have a knack for getting those “action” poop shots. Kind of says it for the state of the world right now.
Lyle, my shutter finger is hard wired to fire off a burst whenever a bird does something, anything, and I’ll ask questions later. I guess that includes pooping.
Well, you really can’t go wrong with a handsome Cooper’s Hawk on a beautiful fence rail with a smoky bokeh! Or with a beautiful photo of the Tetons at sunrise, or Ansel’s Snake River Overlook view. Yours is a very special perspective of them—almost mystical! They’ve been my favorite mountain range ever since I “met” them many years ago.
Coops are quite frequent visitors to my yard, earning their reputation as “murder birds” for the havoc they wreak on the finches, sparrows, warblers and doves, even if they’re not successful at the hunt. Just can’t help but admire their persistence.
Thanks, Chris. Only once have I ever seen a Cooper’s Hawk hunting birds in my back yard. The last photo in this post was the result:
https://www.featheredphotography.com/blog/2017/11/26/three-coopers-hawks-with-prey/
Ha! Well, that *link* took me down a rabbit-hole! I remembered the first 3 photos of Coops with pigeon and dove on ground, but not the last one on your roof (originally posted before my time on your blog). I enjoyed reading all the comments on that post (particularly Laura’s ) and then decided to do a search on Cooper’s Hawks on your blog … which somehow led to FALCONS and falconry (!?). And to a great explanation of the “sport” (pursuit) by Mark Runnels in Oct. 2012. As I said, rabbit hole. Glad I had my pot of coffee at the ready! 😂
Mark is a Master Falconer so he’s unusually knowledgeable about falconry and has been very generous in the past about sharing his knowledge. In my experience too many falconers are defensive and secretive about some of the past negatives involving falconry but Mark doesn’t try to hide or gloss over anything in his approach to the ‘sport’. He just wants to improve it.
A truth teller is the lens and the date the image is and was taken!
Other than the wonderful pictures you and Mia take as well as many other photographers, I am in such dismay about the predicament that this country is in right now.
So am I Dick. And it’s coming at us from all fronts.
“Powerful and menacing” versus ‘poetic and otherworldly” : 2 different KINDS
of beauty– and I think it’s a notable accomplishment to capture the Tetons
in the latter visual mood—I think yours is a beautiful image, and it’s the first time I’ve seen that range looking anything outside of scary…..it’s lovely !
I like your take on the contrast between the two subjects, Kris. Thank you.
Lovely panorama; the soft layers are beautiful. The cooper is great…no mistaking that stare! Coopers are returning here…they frequent the trees around my feeders to sit and wait but the blue-jays do a wonderful job of being the vocal lifeguards. I hear them inside the house and know who is about. Occasionally I’ve had ‘Coop’ rustle in the birdbath which is a rather funny site. Very hazy sky here this a.m….the setting sun last night was paler than usual.
Thanks, Kathy. Yup, it’s light enough here now to tell that our smoke is worse. So I’m not going shooting this morning, speaking of ‘poop’…
The hawk IS fun and background, whether “haze” or smoke works very well in this case. 😀 Your landscape is also beautiful even if not Ansel Adams “perfect”…..😉
We’re supposed to do “haze” the rest of the week and can see Venus this morning – perhaps we’ll get a break? Getting “old” tho given what others are dealing with I don’t want to complain TOO much…. Thinking of “The Year Without a Summer” with temperature supression……
Judy, recently I’ve been looking at Venus every morning in the dark to try to evaluate the smoke and see if there’s any chance of going shooting. This morning it looks a little less brilliant than yesterday morning so I’m not terribly optimistic. Our high level smoke is supposed to be worse today than yesterday. We’ll see..
We have the Coopers on the back fence often, but I sure like your rustic open country looking fence better than our metal golf course fence. Yes, agree on the vertical photo. As I got into bird photography I always laugh thinking of the first time I saw a bird poop. It was an eagle and pooped right toward me as I was far down below him or her. At that time I had no idea that was what their pooping looked like. And agree with Marty K. on the Teton shot.
Thanks, Everett. I’m jealous of all the folks who regularly see Cooper’s Hawks in their neighborhoods and yards. If I see one in my neighborhood a handful of times per year I’m lucky.
I see the hawk was making room for a little brekkie! The vertical crop definitely showcases the intensity of that gaze (and the supraorbital ridge). I do like me a vertical crop, especially if the bird’s a little bigger in the frame.
Your Tetons shot is pretty spectacular, Ron. Don’t sell yourself short. 🙂
I’m glad to hear you like that Tetons shot, Marty. That view has always been kind of special for me but I wondered if maybe you had to be there on the mountain and experience it personally to really appreciate it.