‘Posing perfectly’ and raptor chicks almost never go together but this time was an exception.
In my experience it’s almost impossible to get pleasing poses from multiple raptor chicks in the nest. There’s always one or more of them that has its back to me or is looking away or its head or face is completely hidden. And getting catch lights in multiple photon-sucking black eyes is nearly always asking too much of both the laws of physics and typical unruly chick behavior..
1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 1600, 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 spent a few minutes watching these Red-tailed Hawk chicks through my viewfinder. Typical of raptor chicks in the nest they were uncooperative in the posing department so I didn’t take many photos. But I kept watching them with my finger on the shutter button and hoping against hope that a miraculous moment would occur where everything came together. For a split second and for this single photo, it did.
There were four chicks in the nest but all three of them that we can clearly see popped up high enough out of the bowl of the nest in almost choreographed poses that allowed me to see their heads, faces and upper bodies. And miracle of miracles, there’s a catch light in the eye of all three chicks.
Another thing I had going for me was the clouds in front of the sun that cast diffused light on the nest and chicks which prevented contrasty light and deep shadows. Almost the entire scene is evenly lit which is unusual for this nest. I felt that I had to crank up my ISO in the low light but for this photo I’ll gladly pay that price.
Expecting three raptor chicks to pose this nicely simultaneously is about like expecting the same from three cats or three human babies. It rarely happens so on those occasions when it does you have to be ready.
And more than a little lucky.
Ron
Note: I won’t go into all the details because regular blog followers probably get tired of reading them but rest assured, these chicks were photographed ethically. No hawks, chicks or adults, were disturbed or even made nervous by my presence.
Miracle!!! Absolutely elusive!! SO excited for you Ron! This is a gem 😀
A shot like this is as rare as hen’s teeth (or RTHA teeth, for that matter). Definitely wall-worthy, if for no other reason than the cuteness factor of those fuzz-butts and the patience of the photographer. 💜
I’m glad you like it, Marty. Thanks.
Gosh, i love it, Ron! Isn’t this a great time of year, with so many baby birds around. We have a single hen turkey that visits the slope out back of our place and brings all 8 of her little poults. Watching the family from our kitchen window, seeing the babies (practically just balls of feathers) as they scurry after their mom, is a joyful treat. You can tell when she’s found something because they all rush over to see what it is. She must make a certain ‘here’s a tasty bug’ sound.
Watching those turkeys must be a blast, Nina. I don’t think I’ve ever seen any Wild Turkeys that young.
Oh, it is a blast. We’ve never seen young ones before either.
What an astonishing sight. And shot.
As Laura so often said, deserving of multiple superlatives.
Thanks, EC. Speaking of Laura I saw her say on Facebook that she’s mostly off line these days because she went way over her gigabyte limit. Which was probably pretty expensive for her.
Thanks for the Laura update. When I don’t see her (or indeed any of your regulars) for a time I worry.
Agreed, Ron. Thank you for the Laura update.
Congrats! A real trifecta! Nestlings are so often either buried in the nest, sleeping, or looking the other way . Plus the camera’s focusing is often more attracted to the sticks of the nest instead of the little fuzzy heads.Very nice!
Thanks, John. I made sure that my active focusing point was on the chicks instead of on the nest. But you know focusing points, sometimes they lock on to whatever they have a mind to…
Fantastic shot! Bright eye wonderment for sure. Just simply precious! That nest will have to be pretty secure to support the tussling of four chicks as they grow! Is it new or a recycled one? We know the ethics you use with your photography and we all appreciate it. Lately I’ve been seeing photos of chicks in nests inside of birdhouses…apparently after removing roofs or a wall…is ‘500+’ likes worth it? It makes me cringe…
Kathy, it’s a new nest built within a few feet of an older nest that is no longer there.
Oh my ♥️ … brings tears to my eyes to see these little beauties … thank you!
Thanks, Chris.
Exceptional! Love this photo!!
Good. Thanks, Peg.
Very nice when all conditions are perfect and the subjects oblige.
Four chicks, wow, I hope they all survive, that’s a lot of food runs for mom and dad!
April, the adults brought two voles to the chicks in the first 15 minutes I was there. And based on the behavior of chicks and adults I strongly suspect there had been other voles delivered before I got there.
Wonderful picture. I am amazed at the color continuity and how beautiful it presents. Truly the eye of the artist and photographer was evident. Great job.
Betty, that color continuity you mention was largely due warm morning light (through the clouds) on reddish rocks.
Neat! 🙂 Chicks do not tend to cooperate for portraits much like their human counterparts…… 😉 Where they put their nests IS amazing tho it certainly is helpful when it comes to predators. One Canada Goose didn’t have a “good year” this year – came down the creek with just 4 Goslings yesterday.
Judy, your goose and its goslings may not have had a ‘good year’ but maybe some of your local predators are benefiting from their misfortune…
Well done, Ron! I can’t imagine how crowded that nest will become as those chicks grow….
Thanks, Diane. Good point.
Normally, a fuzzy photo is to be avoided. In this case all those fuzzy heads are delightful. Just an amazing photo.
Thanks, Lyle.
Hi,
What a remarkable photo. I find it charming.
Take Care,
Kaye
Thank you, Kaye.
What a remarkable photo and what patience on your part to stay with them until you got the perfect set up. Truly amazing that you got the three of them looking toward you at the same time and all with the catch-eye. Odds of that happening are about the same as my Phillies winning the World Series this year. During this spring I have been taking photos of two eagle chicks now fledglings in the nest and not once have these two looked toward me at the same time. And that is only two. Outstanding job.
“not once have these two looked toward me at the same time”
That’s about par for the course with raptor chicks isn’t it, Everett. I’m not sure but this may be the first time I’ve managed to get good poses with light in the eye from three or more raptor chicks.