Here’s another reason I tend to use very fast shutter speeds on birds.
The following seven photos, including the first one, are sequential without any skips. But there was a pause between #1 and the last six which were taken in a burst.
1/6400, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Yesterday morning I found this juvenile Red-tailed Hawk perched near the top of a steep hillside in a remote area of the west desert. I got a few shots of ‘him’ perched but as usual I also wanted takeoff and flight shots.
It was at this point that I realized that I was slightly behind him and I’d have a better shooting angle for flight shots if I was further in front of him, to my right in the photo. But starting my pickup and driving slowly forward risked having the bird take off while I was still driving. In fact, it almost guaranteed it.
So I did what I often do in these situations if I can do it safely. I kept the hawk in my viewfinder while I was driving forward on the gravel road. I was driving slowly at about walking speed (3 mph) while steering with my knee.
Sure enough,…
1/5000, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
after I’d driven only about 15′ or so, the hawk took off.
If you compare the first photo to this one and notice the relative positions of the hawk and the sagebrush in the upper background, it becomes apparent that I’d moved my position forward (by driving) by the time this second one was taken.
1/6400, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
You’ll notice that his perch was flexible and springy, so I got two shots as he was pushing off.
1/6400, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Liftoff.
1/6400, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Immediately after he took off he began to veer slightly away from me, which presented more of his ventral surfaces to the camera and provided a flight posture that I thought was most suitable for a vertical composition.
1/6400, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
In the next shot his face and head were hidden behind his right wing. Uncharacteristic of me, I decided to include it anyway.
1/6400, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
This is the last shot I got before I started cutting off body parts.
I was driving forward at about 3 mph on the rough gravel road when the last six photos were taken. Between engine vibration and the rocky, bumpy road, I’d have had virtually no chance to get sharp flight shots if I hadn’t been shooting at very fast shutter speeds. Even then, some of the last six photos aren’t quite as sharp as the first one but I think they’re plenty sharp enough.
I use faster shutter speeds than most bird photographers for several reasons I’ve explained before. This is just another one of those reasons.
Ron
SENSATIONAL!!!
Ron – was busy yesterday and never got to your post. These are incredible photos considering your description of how they were taken. Did you take these through your front windshield ? If so, you must thoroughly clean it every morning before taking off.
All of these show details wonderfully well, but the ‘hidden face’ view is especially appealing to me. It’s unique, for one thing, but I also like the way the grasses echo the lines of the wings.
We’ve been so focused on our most recent hurricane I had no idea there already were fires burning. It’s too bad we can’t bundle up some of our rain and send it your way.
Lovely series! Very sharp and neat positions. Was it very smokey? This morning was very smokey up Brigham city way.
There is no way in hell I can drive with my knees! The steering wheel is not that low in my car.
Thanks, April. It really wasn’t any smokier than it was down here. But it came close. I could actually see a bank of smoke up north that never quite made it down that far.
My steering wheel is adjustable. I typically keep it pretty low. I can also raise my seat.
I am delighted to see this entire series – not least for his spectacular leggings.
Well done. Knowledge, experience, perseverance and excellent equipment served you well. The Lady Luck must have been looking the other way.
I figured you’d notice his britches, EC… 🙂
It’s past my nap time but today I actually stayed awake long enough to respond to your comment right after you made it.
Nighty night.
Sleep well.
Thanks. I did.
You have killed it again Ron. Way to go!
Thanks very much, Brad.
Striking series! #5 is my fav – just love the wing exposure. Driving with you knee and focused on your view finder – what could go wrong?! 🤣😂
“what could go wrong?”
Kathleen, driving at 3mph on a completely deserted, flat, straight gravel road in the middle of nowhere – not much. About the worst that could happen is that my shots would be soft. Or the bird pooped on my windshield as it passed over.
Beautiful pictures!
Glad you like them Laurie.
Beautiful Ron!
Thanks, Mark.
Oh, he’s wonderful! You have really captured his youthful power and glory in this series!
I saw a headline the other day about a fire in the SLC area – is that under control, or any danger to you?
Carolyn, evacuation orders for the Ensign Peak fire have been lifted conditionally but it’s still a potentially dangerous situation. Hopefully we won’t have wind for the next few days.
The fire is no danger to me or my house. It’s behind and above the Capitol building in SLC and I’m in Murray on the valley floor, more than 10 miles to the southwest.
What magnificent images.!….I think many people
would assume that your excellent equipment and technical skill in
using it is key, but what I glean from your posts is that your knowledge of behavior and ability to anticipate developments based
on that knowledge is easily as important in your achievements….thanks for a beautiful series !
Much appreciated, Kris. I’ve always believed that knowledge of bird behavior is a huge advantage for bird photographers. That combined with paying really close attention to your subjects.
Well done Ron! All your knowledge and experience, coupled with great light, give you a real edge in capturing great action sequences. Glad fellow photographers pointed me to your blog. I appreciate all the work you guys do to inform and entertain me!
I’m glad they pointed you here too, Burrdoo. It’s nice having you around.
Beautiful shots, Ron! Somehow I really like the one with his face hidden, too.
Thanks, Cathy. Then I’m glad I included it.
Well done! Absolutely needed to include #6 to present the series. Once again you have managed to capture the beauty of flight that is hidden from the ordinary observation of the human eye.
That third shot is a gem. Love the way that the right wing frames-in the head.
Thank you, Michael. i agree about the third photo, which is why I chose that one as my featured photo on social media.
Stunning series, Ron! Yep, shutter speed “matters”…….. Luv the gold coloring in his head and chest that the warm light gives. 🙂
Moon last night and sun this morning are neon red balls – UGH. Have had worse BUT!
Thanks, Judy. It matters a lot.
While I was up north yesterday, I could see fairly thick smoke moving in from Idaho. Thankfully it hasn’t become very thick down here in SLC. Photos taken yesterday (I think) by friends in Boise show incredibly thick smoke up there.
The shot with the face hidden is his bashful pose.
Could be…