Late yesterday afternoon I was driving between several of my favorite birding spots in the city when I spotted a large buteo perched in a tree next to the road in front of me. It was on the passenger’s side (the ‘wrong’ side) of my pickup, there was intermittent traffic on the road and I assumed it was the juvenile Red-tailed Hawk that hangs out in that area, so I decided to just drive on by and continue to my destination. I already have quite a few photos of that juvenile red-tail.
But as I passed the hawk very close to me I could see that it was a spectacular adult dark morph Red-tailed Hawk and for me, that changed everything. I turned around and tried to figure out a way to safely photograph it going back. I waited until I could see no traffic coming behind me and drove forward until I was next to the hawk, where I stopped and fired off a couple of quick bursts without even turning my engine off.
1/3200, f/5.6, ISO 500, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc
I had less than five seconds with the hawk before I could see a car coming behind me in my rear-view mirror, so I had to move on. In most of the shots I got the hawk was looking behind ‘him’ but in three of them, including this one, I had good eye contact.
When it comes to birds, especially ‘special’ hawks like this one, I’m a greedy photographer so I decided to go around and try again. Maybe next time I’d have more time with the bird and besides, in these first shots he was partially side lit so it was my plan to drive a little further past him so I’d be almost exactly between him and the setting sun.
1/3200, f/5.6, ISO 500, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc
Here he is the second time. I think I like this shot a little better, despite the sticks coming out of the back of his neck.
If you prefer, here’s a vertical composition of the same photo.
Once again, I only had about five seconds with the hawk before I could see another car coming behind me so I had to drive on. Greedy ol’ me decided to try a third time but when I turned around and came back, the hawk was gone. I never saw him again and it wasn’t for lack of trying to find him.
These may not be great shots but I think he’s a great bird, especially in the city. I hope he sticks around.
Ron
Notes:
- Sibley calls this color phase an “intermediate” morph. A dark morph would be a little darker and less red. Rightly or wrongly I tend to call both morphs “dark”.
- Don’t worry about my driving while I’m trying to photograph birds. When I’m behind the wheel I’m a wuss so I always error on the side of safety. And courtesy. I hate rude, selfish drivers and I try very hard to not be one.
So exciting to get two passes at this handsome bird! I hope he shows up again — perhaps when you’re parked. 😉
I hope it happens, Marty. I dipped on him this morning though.
A large group of researchers is working on the color genetics and more. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/red-tailed-hawk-subspecies-america-widespread/
Thanks for the link. I’ll read it tonight.
I didn’t even know there were 3 color phases until you mentioned it was in Sibley. I can see the reddish head and upper breast cowl and the reddish undertail. Living in the East, any dark hawk is a great find. I wonder if the genetics has been done on the 3 morphs to determine how different an intermediate is from a dark.
Good question about the genetics, Pamela. I don’t know the answer though.
What a beautiful raptor – thanks for taking the time to take
these while also being careful out there in the city.
Thanks, Everett.
Great to see you in action! Also, quite a beautiful RedTail.
Thanks on both counts, John.
A gorgeous bird! And so neat that it stayed in place long enough for you to get a second pass at it – amazing what you accomplished in 10 seconds, while being a courteous driver! I hope you get to see it again, in more leisurely and less dangerous circumstances.
“I hope you get to see it again.”
I hope so too, Carolyn. I looked for him again this morning but didn’t find him. He was probably just passing through.
Beautiful! Glad you were able to capture him in all his grandure! 🙂 We still have a few hawks hanging around – about got one with the car on the way to Ft. Benton last week as it was near the edge of the road blending in VERY well with the dry grass/road. Skittered off on foot to get out of my way. Large with mottled white and brown back! WHEW! Not there on my return so guessing it could fly.
Judy, I’d love to visit Ft. Benton again. I’ve only been there once and that was long before I knew that my great grandfather (remember “Killer Joe”?) hauled freight to and from Ft. Benton, in wagons, back in the late 1870’s. Knowing that would make another visit more meaningful to me.
Once again, you had me at “Red-tailed.” But: Dark-morph. In the city. Holy cow! That is truly special, as I recall only ever seeing your RTs among the red rocks — and he is truly a looker! Glad you had the opportunity to (safely) get these shots — and I hope you’ll find him again. Perhaps in less-trafficky area. 😎
“Perhaps in less-trafficky area.”
That would be nice, Chris. My blood pressure always goes up a little in these “trafficky” situations.
Wow, magnificent, Ron! I have tended to favor light morphs, but this definitely could change my mind. What good fortune! Thank you.
P.S. Always happy to see Feathered Photography in my list of emails.
“Always happy to see Feathered Photography in my list of emails.”
Thanks, Ellen. I suspect it was a bit of a shock to see me posting two days in a row. Haven’t done that in a while…
What a beauty! While all Red-tails are beautiful, there’s just something special about the very dark and the very light ones.
We had a similar moment for a bobcat. Passed it, hunted down a place to do a U-turn, and then had to find a place to pull off. Much to our amazement, the cat stayed put.
I’m jealous about your bobcat, Catherine. In all the years I’ve looked for them I’ve only seen one and that was long before I took up photography.
What a powerfully BEAUTIFUL bird ! I like shots 1 and 3 because
he is larger and dominates the space of the frame……glad you had
such an opportunity, and in the city, at that ……
“I like shots 1 and 3 because he is larger and dominates the space of the frame”
Kris, that’s often the advantage of vertical compositions with birds. Thanks.
That’s a beautiful hawk – I love dark morph red-tails. And I marvel at your ability to get such great shots with just a few seconds time.
” I marvel at your ability to get such great shots with just a few seconds time.”
Thanks, Bill. I was close and the light was good so that helped.
Beautiful! So glad “he” cooperated a bit to allow you to make multiple passes.
Thank you, Mark.
Happy to share the photography bug with you – thanks for sharing your results.
Thanks, Burrdoo.
Beautiful bird, your grab shots are gorgeous. There is another dark redtail that sits on a light pole over 1-15 in North Salt Lake. Right before 215 hooks up. I have watched for it around the refineries but only see it over the interstate.
Thanks, April. I’ll bet that dark bird, considering where it hangs out, is frustrating for you.
That’s one beautiful bird. I’ve done the same 360 for certain flowers. The great advantage for me is that flowers don’t fly.
“I’ve done the same 360 for certain flowers.”
I get that, Shoreacres. If you’ve got the photography bug you’ve got the bug, come hell or high water, birds, flowers or whatever floats your boat.
Boy, that is one dark RT. Great find. Beautiful RT.
“Sibley calls this color phase an “intermediate” morph.” I’m with you. Dark is dark. Not sure variations in darkness are meaningful or important.
“I’m with you. Dark is dark.”
Michael, we may be in the minority but so be it. Thanks for the reinforcement. 🙂