A dark morph juvenile.
I now believe there are actually two unusually dark juvenile Red-tailed Hawks still hanging around the same general area where they were raised in northern Utah and I think both birds are strikingly beautiful. I’ve become quite attached to them so I look for those birds specifically each time I visit the area. Yesterday morning I had many varying opportunities with one of them.
And I was surprised that this one was apparently still associating with at least one of its parents. They were perching and flying together and the juvenile was still acting like it expected (or at least hoped) to be fed by the adult.
1/5000, f/5.6, ISO 500, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Just before I took this photo, the adult and this dark juvie were perched near each other but they were far away on the ground. I was still maneuvering my pickup into position when they both took off so I missed their takeoff shots. But I managed to lock on to the juvie just as ‘he’ was beginning a long, sweeping bank around one of the nearby cliffs.
I got several shots of him banking but I like this one best because he’s banking so steeply – approaching 90°. I won’t go into all the reasons it’s so difficult to photograph a raptor banking at such a steep angle, and do it well, but suffice it to say I have very few photos like this one. And it isn’t for lack of trying – especially with Northern Harriers but with any raptor, really.
Once again, notice how the bird keeps his head level, even with the rest of his body tipped at such a steep angle.
When this photo was taken, both the adult and the juvie were still close to each other in flight – so close that I’ve cropped the photo to include just a hint of the adult in the frame. Careful observers may be able to find it.
Ron
PS – At the last minute I decided it isn’t playing fair to leave some of my readers, those who couldn’t find the hint of the adult, hanging.
So here’s a different crop of the same photo.
I have 3 RTHs near by and one has gotten bold enough to sit on the rail of my small grilling deck, just off of my screened in porch. I swear they are stalking my fat little girl pug. I don’t think they could get her off the ground, but could attack ON the ground. How careful should I be?
WOW. And rather a lot of other superlatives.
Glad you like it, EC.
Wonderful photo. I like seeing the underside with the tilt of the bird. Nice they are reproducing dark morphs. In another forum I am on a photographer in Arizona took a photo of the darkest red tail I have ever seen. Even the beak and nares were dark in color.
Sounds like a very unusual-looking bird, April.
What an exciting shot! The angle is amazing!
Thanks, Arwen.
I think you must have been a terrific teacher. You continue to be one with your explanations of your photo process and your knowledge of birds.
Take Care,
Kaye
That means a lot to me, Kaye. Thanks very much,
Spectacular series Ron! Thanks for sharing!!
Charlotte Norton
Thank you, Charlotte.
That is a real beauty Ron!
Thanks, Bill.
No way I could pick a favorite out of all your RTH photos, but this is a beauty.
One minor correction: I’m pretty sure those are rabbit ears in the first photo.
They kinda look like it, don’t they.
Beautiful! 🙂 Luv the detail, particularly on the wings. “Mama” certainly has a lot of red and not just her tail! 2nd shot does show the dramatic difference in coloring between the juvenille and adult.
Thanks, Judy.
Yes – can see it. Fortunately these Red-tails are often there to keep you entertained and provide photo ops. Outstanding shot of the dark juvenile. He or she sure is beautiful. Really sharp photo.
Thank you, Everett. I’m glad I’ve got red-tails because for the time being I don’t have much else.
Yes, more red-tailed photos!
Love them both, but that first cropped photo is a real winner.
Thanks, Michael. Most birds have become scarce around here but I’m still having opportunities with red-tails so that’s what you get.
I too especially like the adult juvie colour contrast and for that I can easily overlook the leg chop. But my word, Ron you do like to tease don’t you! 😉 I’m glad that you included the adult at the last moment because it makes me appreciate the juvie colouration all the more
“But my word, Ron you do like to tease don’t you!”
It’s part of my nature, Granny Pat – to the frustration of both of my younger sisters when we were growing up.
I’m sure it made for many fond family memories, Ron. 😊
Wow, absolutely stunning Ron. Amazing photo of his steep, banking posture. Even a few nicely curved primaries. I love the second photo as well where we see the striking difference in coloring between “mama” and her “baby”.
Thank you, Mark. Yes, one of the things I like a lot about the photo is how well it contrasts the adult and the dark juvie – even though the adult is soft.