“Circumstances” have kept me out of the field for the last few days and it looks like bad weather for photography will continue to keep me home for a few more days, so I may be posting older photos in the interim. Beginning today.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Four years ago I spent some quality time with this young Red-tailed Hawk as ‘he’ was trying to figure life out. He seemed unsure about pretty much everything, including how to preen his own feathers. Here he was trying to “rezip” the hooks on one of his wing primaries but once his bill got to the tip of the feather…
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
he didn’t seem to know what to do with it. He held this position for so long I got lots of photos that look almost exactly like this one. He just stared off into space, seeming to wonder what to do next.
1/5000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
A short time later he raised, twisted and flared his tail in preparation for working on those feathers but at first he acted like he didn’t know where or how to begin. Once again, I got lots of photos that look like this one.
Because of their goofy behaviors, young raptors may be my favorite photo subjects. When I can get close to them.
Ron
This made me smile and I just have to share an experience I had with a young great horned owl. The young owl had been found on the ground. No one could find the nest, so the owl ended up at the Raptor Conservancy of Virginia. He was at the age when he should begin self feeding. So, we started leaving dead mice in his cage. After a day or two, we were thrilled when he picked one up in his foot. He brought it to his beak and tried to swallow it, but the foot wouldn’t let go. He chirped, twittered, and begged at the foot but it was no use. He clearly did not understand that it was HIS foot holding the mouse and that he could release it. He did eventually figure it out and was put into a flight cage with an adult owl where he learned to hunt live mice. When he was ready, he was released to the wild. It is always interesting to see how much they need to learn.
I loved your story, Liz. That’s juvie raptors to a “T”.
Great story. I could see it all in my head.
Totally charming. I can well understand your fascination. Thank you.
Thanks, EC.
He definitely looks as if he had a bit of trouble with the assembly instructions – tab A into slot Z? Whoops, dropped the allen wrench! And where the heck does this tail piece go?
Here’s hoping he had many of Granny Pat’s “lightbulb moments” and is now teaching his own kiddos the ways of the hawk.
Thanks for the smiles today.
“He definitely looks as if he had a bit of trouble with the assembly instructions”
Wish I’d thought of that, Carolyn. Maybe he bought something from Ikea…
If he was from Ikea, there’d be lots of extra parts left over. 🤬😉😂
Such a “learning curve” to growing up even for those with a lot of “built in” knowledge”. 😉
“Fall” is here – got down to 38 last night which had me bringing in houseplants – TOO “close” for comfort. 😉 Rainy and cool the rest of the week with snow in the high country – need the rain! Seeding behind due to warm ground this year so they’re scurrying/praying…..
“Seeding behind due to warm ground this year”
Winter wheat I presume.
We haven’t even seen the 40’s during the night yet but we’re getting close. Should have fresh tomatoes for a while longer.
Without your descriptions I would have no idea what was happening in these shots. I particularly love red tails as they are often in the field across from me. Twice I had the thrill of watching parents encourage their fledgling who was learning to fly. They called to one another constantly and flew in swooping arcs. The fledgling flight seemed to be for the fun of it and it would also walk around on the ground as though it was a ground bird…reminding me of a chicken!
“Twice I had the thrill of watching parents encourage their fledgling who was learning to fly.”
I’ve seen the same thing, Pat. You describe it well.
Super series!
super series
Thanks.
Very interesting photos. I am seeing a much different look here. If you take a quick look it appears that this young hawk has fallen from the sky backwards and is about to crash into the rocks.
But regardless of how you see it – excellent photos.
Thank you, Everett.
“Because of their goofy behaviors, young raptors may be my favorite photo subjects.”
Amen to that.
Got to wonder what was behind that thousand yard stare.
“Got to wonder what was behind that thousand yard stare.”
Michael, it made me wonder enough that I looked. Nothing that I could see.
As Granny Pat said, the “lightbulb moment” is everything in teaching! Ron, how I envy you the time you spent with this youngster. Watching him must have been such a blast! My foster puppy is 5 weeks old as of today and she is hilarious and too adorable for words as she figures out how to “dog.”
Marty, I miss having a dog. I keep thinking about it but I don’t think it would be a smart move.
That’s part of why why fostering is so appealing to me! I’m sure there is a shelter or rescue in SLC that would love to have you as a shelter or foster volunteer (especially with your photography skills!). You can get your “dog fix” in on your schedule and help save lives in the meantime. 🙂
Wouldn’t work for me, not a chance. I’d get too attached.
These pictures definitely brought a morning smile. Seeing that young have to learn in all species helps to connect us. Like watching my grandkids try to brush their hair or put on their clothes. Thanks !
Hope your circumstances improve soon.
“Like watching my grandkids try to brush their hair or put on their clothes.”
That’s a good analogy, Catherine.
That was fun to see…..I never would have thought that preening
would be a “learned” skill– glad he finally figured it out, and we got
to see him get it– aha !
Glad you enjoyed it, Kris. It was super entertaining to watch.
I suspect that the urge to preen is innate but the ability to do it well is learned.
What a contortionist! There are times you have to wonder why but then why not if it works. I do often puzzle over the long stares they sometimes give though or you look in that direction and nothing seems to be there…
Kathy, while he was staring in that direction there was nothing but empty space behind me. But then I don’t have raptor eyes…
Young birds and animals of all sorts exploring their world, their own bodies and problem solving; they’re entertaining, often amusing and have me riveted to the action, fingers crossed, breath held, silently cheering them on. Yeah, that lighbulb moment is what made me want to teach. These shots are priceless. I could go back to them and the experience year after year.
“that lighbulb moment is what made me want to teach”
Me too, Granny Pat. Being part of it is very special.