Faking out the photographer.
Whenever I come across two raptors perched fairly close together, but far enough apart that I can’t get both of them in frame, I always do the same thing. I take a few very quick photos of one of them and then do the same with the other one. That way, I’ve at least taken documentary photos of both birds before one or both of them took off.
But things don’t always go as expected or hoped for.
Three days ago in the west desert I found an obviously mated pair of Red-tailed Hawks perched atop a low cliff about 20′ apart from each other. I believe this bird, the one on my right, is the female of the pair.
I couldn’t get both of them in the same frame so immediately after stopping my pickup I took about a half dozen quick shots of her in a burst before swinging my lens to my left and attempting to photograph the male.
I got him in my viewfinder but before I could lock focus on him, he took off – straight up. This is the first shot I got of him.
I certainly didn’t expect him to take off straight up so…
I didn’t leave enough room in the frame up top to keep his wings in frame when they were in the vertical position.
It was an unusual takeoff for two reasons. He took off vertically and,,,
it immediately became apparent that his intention was to only fly a few feet to my right – to the female about 20’away. I instantly had hopes that he was about to mate with her, even though it’s fairly late in the season for that. I suspect most red-tails are already on eggs.
This flight posture indicates that he’s already in pre-landing mode,
While looking through my viewfinder I couldn’t see the female but I believe it was immediately after I took this photo that the female took off, foiling any plans he might have had for mating.
A few frames later he’d switched from landing mode to acceleration mode, including tucking his legs and feet. I got quite a few photos of him in flight but when I lost him in the frame and looked up from my viewfinder, both hawks were disappearing behind one of the taller cliffs. I never again saw either one.
So much for the best laid plans, of the photographer and possibly of the male red-tail.
Ron
Love these – so dynamic.
OK, I want to hear the backstory of “Dud the Stud!”
Looks like it was a delightful Red Tail morning, even if they were a bit unpredictable in their bird ballet moves. Gotta keep you on your toes.
“OK, I want to hear the backstory of “Dud the Stud!””
Marty, it isn’t as juicy or as scandalous as you might think.
After South High closed and I moved to Highland High, some of my students just started calling me that, for whatever reason. They did it in a friendly manner, even respectfully, so I never shut it down, although I considered it in the beginning. It just stuck, from year to year. They didn’t do it all the time but when they did they obviously meant it as a compliment so I just let it slide. Probably with an inside grin going on.
Love it!
Superb images – well done
Thanks, Gary. Glad you like them.
With the exception of the unfortunate amputation you got some stellar shots.
Being me, I am particularly fond of the almost landing shots with those beautiful britches on display. I mourn for those of you who were disappointed but am smiling that the female at least did just what she wanted.
“smiling that the female at least did just what she wanted.”
In my experience they usually do, EC.
And I hope you continue to “be me”.
The way she was perched looks very precarious! And the first one of him jumping up, it almost looks like he was perched on that little twig, but I guess it was the rock? Is he still a younger bird, paler eyes and tail? Lovely, lovely! And I like Mark’s “Ronarazzi”!
“but I guess it was the rock?”
Yes, he was on the rock, Carolyn.
He has the red tail of the adult but the lighter eyes of a fairly young bird.
It’s always a good day when you snag a Red-tail pair, cooperative subjects or not. They kind of remind me of AOM and his partner … “will they or won’t they?” Still hoping for baby kestrels and baby hawks this year!
Chris, I suspect that this pair is the same pair that is nesting a mile or south of where I found them. So babies are possible.
What a super recovery you made after just missing that early one.
Outstanding photos all. They are all excellent and very hard to
choose a favorite. Envious.
Thanks very much, Everett.
If it wasn’t challenging at times you probably wouldn’t keep at it!
Still like the 1st shot of the male take off even with his face covered!
“f it wasn’t challenging at times you probably wouldn’t keep at it! ”
You’re almost certainly right, Judy.
Love that shot of the male in the “pre-landing mode”–his body
fills the frame in an unusual and very dynamic way– in fact, your
whole series this morning seems so lively and, well– “springy” !
Thanks, Kris. I feel the same about that pre-landing shot, which is why I chose it as my featured image on Facebook.
I think you are correct. Appears to have been a change in flight plan very soon after takeoff.
Michael, sometimes even I get it right!
Well, maybe she is modest and wanted to take care of business out of sight from the paparazzi. (or would that be Ronarazzi?)
Either way, thanks for a great and entertaining series!
Ronarazzi works for me. Thanks, Mark.
Love the first photo of the female perched on the edge of the rock. Always a good day when you see Red-tails. Ronarazzi is going to stick!
“Ronarazzi is going to stick!”
I’ve had worse nicknames, Kathleen. Including Dudley Duck (long story) and Dud the Stud.