Yesterday was a good day for Red-tailed Hawks and a few other raptors.
1/3200, 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
This young red-tail was among at least two juvies and two adults (one of them a beautiful dark morph) I saw in the same general area so I had to wonder if some or all of them had familial ties. When this one roused and then pooped I figured ‘he’ was about to take off and I was right. I always appreciate my subjects signaling their intentions like that so that…
1/3200, 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
I’m ready for it. I was pleased to get him in one of my favorite takeoff postures without clipping his raised wings, which I so often do in this situation.
1/2500, 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
In this next shot I like how his wingspan follows the slope of the sagebrush without having the sage directly behind the bird (sage and hawk are mostly separated from each other).
1/2500, 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
In this photo and the next one his strikingly beautiful ‘pantaloons’ really catch my eye.
1/3200, 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
Well, you knew I had to clip a wing at least once.
I was quite disappointed because otherwise I really like this shot. I got quite a few photos of him after this one but for some reason they weren’t quite sharp enough to post. I had more difficulty with sharpness yesterday than I should have. I hope it isn’t the beginning of a trend.
I’ve been in that boat before and it isn’t any fun.
Ron
Sensational series Ron! Thanks for sharing!
Charlotte Norton
Yet again, preparation and experience meet Opportunity.
What an outstanding series of photographs, Ron.
A true celebration of power, beauty and grace.
Thanks vey much, Wally.
Wing fling and pantaloons in the same post — it’s gonna be a great day!!! These are wonderful shots of a very handsome bird. I hope you get some more time with him soon.
Marty, I hope I get some more time with his presumed parents too. One of them as a gorgeous dark morph.
Since others are choosing favorites I’ll go for the 2nd to last. But then they’re all winners. Extra points for an eye catch in every one and the trés stylish pantaloons.
Thanks, Lyle. I’ll take all the extra points I can get, especially after all the soft shots I got yesterday morning.
What a love! I’m crazy about the pale area over the eye, like a blond eyebrow.
You’re right, Sallie. It is.
Simply, completely, utterly gorgeous. And, as you know, I am a big fan of pantaloons.
“I am a big fan of pantaloons”
As I remember EC, you’re the originator of the term “pantaloons” as applied to birds.
I suspect I called them britches as well. And either fits.
As much as I love the “action” shots—and I do—I am very fond of the first image, a gorgeous young Red-tail perched on that lichen-covered rock with the lovely soft sage behind him. He’s got beautiful flight form, to boot—long may he fly!
Agreed, Chris. Lichen covered rocks + sagebrush + almost any bird I can think of is a combination that has special appeal for me.
Gorgeous!
Thanks, Kathryn
Beautiful! 🙂 Love the “bend” in the wing feathers in #3. Always amazing the feathers actually have that much flex to them. Glad they’re around and thriving for the moment. 🙂
“Always amazing the feathers actually have that much flex to them”
I agree, Judy. I’ve always thought that feathers were one of the most ingenious developments of evolution, for lots and lots of reasons.
Gorgeous!! 2&3 are my favs. 🙂
Thanks, Kathleen.
Beautiful shots, handsome young bird! In the first shot it looked to have a bit of a crop bulge but on the others, no. It might just be the way he was holding his neck in the first shot. I do like to see a full crop on these young birds.
Auto focus is a bitch! I am on mostly manual these days til my lens is looked at. I am getting better at sharp shots though.
“Auto focus is a bitch!”
It sure can be, April. I may (just may) have discovered this morning that my AF problems were caused be operator error. Time will tell…
I’ve been unable to get out for some birdwatching so it’s nice to have them come to me😁 These made my day. How beautiful is he❗️
I hope you can get out again real soon, Diana.
Ron,
Great shots. I noticed the wings matching the slop of the sagebrush before I read your caption. Should I be frightened if I am starting to think like you? I do believe I recognize the area. I hope you will post pictures of the dark morph.
Stephen
“Should I be frightened if I am starting to think like you?”
Stephen, I’m not sure you should be frightened but thinking like me certainly has some downsides… 🙂
Outstanding Ron. Very sharp. I love the 3rd shot in the take off series. I have always liked that part of a raptors take off when the wings are coming down after the first full spread. The “pantaloons” are strikingly beautiful as is this entire photo with its white breast and undersides of the wings. A definite keeper.
Thanks, Everett. The kind of shot you like certainly shows off their impressive wingspan.
Outstanding shots…..thanks, Ron!
Thank you, Peg.
Spectacular Ron! Thank you for a wonderful start to the day!
Thanks very much, Mark.