Except for one quick trip to Farmington Bay WMA, yesterday was my first time out photographing birds in 41 days while I’ve been recovering from major back surgery. If felt good. Very good.
1/5000, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
When I found this immature Red-tailed Hawk I could tell something had ‘her’ interest even before I got my lens on her. By the time I got my pickup stopped (this is my second photo of her) she was obviously intensely interested in something over my left shoulder. I assumed she’d spotted prey and was about to take off after it so I fired off two quick bursts in hopes of getting takeoff and flight shots.
But it wasn’t potential prey that had caught her eye.
1/5000, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
It was an incoming and pissed off male American Kestrel.
I got six shots with both birds in the frame but this is the only one where both of them were sharp. The kestrel made two runs on the hawk before going on his way. I guess he figured he’d made his point and at that stage of the game, retreat was the better part of valor. After all, red-tails weigh more than nine times as much as kestrels (1080 grams vs 117 according to Sibley).
Even though birds were slow yesterday morning, being out there felt like a rebirth of sorts. And after 41 days I even remembered where most of the buttons and dials are on my fairly new camera. At my age that’s something else to celebrate.
Ron
Congratulations Ron! I can imagine the pleasure and relief you must’ve felt being out in the field again. It’s reflected in these beautiful photos. Aaahhh!
Much appreciated, Julie.
Beautiful photo. I love the aerobatic pose of the kestrel, and the alarmed look on the hawk’s face. Great to see you getting back out with the birds.
Thank you, Bill.
Yeah!! So glad you are out and about again, and hopefully without pain.
Deedee, not “without” but noticeably less, most of the time.
So pleased (ecstatic, even) that you were able to get out and enjoy the great outdoors again! Even better to be able pull the (R5) trigger on that gorgeous young hawk and her tormentor! Beautiful pics, Ron — thank you for brightening my inbox, you’ve been sorely missed. (But let’s not overdo—😉)
Good to know you noticed my absence, Chris!
“…being out there felt like a rebirth of sorts.”
Happy birthday!
I’ll take it, Michael – instant youth!
Great to have you back, Ron!
Thanks, David.
Nice to see you out and about! Love the first shot – you know I love hawks.
You know I do too.
I am so very, very happy to read and see this post. Thank you. And take it easy. Please.
Thanks, EC.
Yay!!!
Yup!
Great to have you back! Hope it all continues to move in the right direction.
I hope so too, John. Thanks.
Outstanding Ron. So glad you were able to get out there. Probably no where near prime time Ron, but good enough to be out and getting some action shots. I have seen Kestrels here dive bomb Red-tails to see if they can drive them off, but never seems to work. We also have our long time female Harriers who does some serious dive bombing and strafing of the Red-tails.
Everett, in my experience most every raptor species will harass other raptors on occasion. Relative size doesn’t seem to matter much.
Cool shots! Red-tailed must have been in the Kestrel’s “territory”…… 😉 Glad you were able to get out and about again – “progress” 🙂
Thanks, Judy.
And so it was after weathering a storm of biblical proportions (it has been 40 days and 40 nights-or so), our hero rises zombie-like on all hallows eve.
That will be my submission to the Bullwer Lytton fiction contest.
Anyway, great to see you’re able to be out and about.
Nice shot of the Red-tailed amidst the twiggery. Right out of the gate you have two raptors in one. You definitely still don’t cease to amaze.
Aah, the old BLFC. Lyle, my arthritic but surprisingly nubile digits will wriggle forth and vote for your submission early and often, in person and at the dastardly drop off box. Victory to the right wingers and the left wingers!
Pull that trigger, Lyle! 😉
Lyle, I got a big kick out of your first sentence!
Unexpected happiness to see your blog in my email this morning! Glad you got back out; I’m sure it lifted your mood dramatically. And the weather has been so gorgeous!!!
Thanks, Sue. I think today marks the end of our gorgeous weather for a while.
I am thrilled to see you “back in the saddle” again! Yes, I am old enough to remember Gene Autry! lol Your passion for all that is in Nature’s lens will help you heal and move forward. But you already know that, right? Steady does it….with a lens AND your back.
Thank you, Sybby.
Good to see you back Ron. I wonder if the hawk was looking for you as many of us were?
BUT my usual nagging – Please take it easy and do not rush the abominably slow, detour and hiccup prone healing process
I’m trying, Frances. “Hiccup prone” indeed.
Mr. Dudley, I “met you” just days before your medical leave. I am excited by your abundant birding knowledge, excellent photography skills, and passion. Glad to see your finger is back on your camera. Keep them coming! From Chicago where we enjoy our robins, house sparrows and the occasional cardinal.
Much appreciated, Marcia. But I gave up “Mr.” when I retired from teaching… 🙂
Back in the saddle again! Glad you are feeling better my friend.
“Back in the saddle again!”
Thanks for that ear worm, Brett! But then you may be too young to remember it. Hint – Gene Autrey. …
I do remember it! Thanks for the memory jog.
Good to know that you are back in action. I can assume your adrenaline was flowing on this RTHA meets AMKE moment.
Take it slow and easy and was glad to hear your camera buttons hadn’t moved around much…
💚
Mark, my adrenaline always flows in situations like this. Too many things can go wrong and they do far too often.
Three cheers for you! May you feel better and continue to recover.
Take Care and Stay Safe,
Kaye
Thank you, Kaye.
There’s nothing like starting off your day doing something you love. So happy to see this news, Ron, and your great photos and story.
“There’s nothing like starting off your day doing something you love.”
Exactly, Nina. Especially after so long not being able to do it.
So happy to see “Feathered Photography” in my line-up this morning ! I
know where your old self was– he was doing the right thing by his injured
body and allowing it to heal so that it could take him on many more trips
to his heart’s desire. Welcome home!
Kris, I’m not “home” yet, not by a long shot. But at least I can see it on the far-off horizon.
Celebrate indeed. So glad you were able to get out in your element and it felt very good. Hope your recovery keeps moving in that direction. Thanks for the beautiful photos!
Thank you, Mark.
Nothing aids recovery like getting back in touch with your old self. Best wishes, Ron!
Well said, Kathy. I was beginning to wonder who my “old self” was. And where he was…