Rustic Red-tail

This is another Montana Red-tailed Hawk, photographed in Beaverhead County a few weeks ago.

 

red-tailed hawk 9842 ron dudley

 1/1000, f/5.6, ISO 640, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc

I tend to like rustic settings like this for raptors in general but particularly for Red-tails because they have adapted so well to our rural habitats.

 

 

red tailed hawk 9923 ron dudley

 1/800, f/9, ISO 500, 500 f/4

This hawk was hunting from the post and changed positions on the perch several times to get a better view in different directions.

 

 

red tailed hawk 9948 ron dudley

  1/1250, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4

Soon the bird went into stretch mode.

 

 

red tailed hawk 9998 ron dudley

  1/500, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4

But eventually it spotted something of interest on the ground (and very close to me) and flew down to investigate.  It didn’t find any prey and here it is looking back toward the fence – deciding which fence post to use for its next perch.

 

 

red tailed hawk 0013 ron dudley

  1/1000, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4

It chose another near-by post to hunt from but that hunting station didn’t last long because…

 

 

red tailed hawk 0020 ron dudley

  1/1000, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4

a very aggressive robin took exception to this new location.

 

 

red tailed hawk 0030 ron dudley

  1/500, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4

The hawk took the bombardment for a short period but eventually took off in apparent exasperation – with the angry robin continuing to buzz the raptor all the way.

The more time I spend with  raptors the more I realize just how much harassment they get from other bird species.  At times they seem to have no peace whatsoever.

Ron

10 Comments

  1. What a co-incidence. A similar post to my own today. I love your Red-tails, and what a great fence. 🙂

  2. Your first picture is such an eye catcher! That chunky juve looks so perfectly Red tailish on the line of random height posts. Why is barbed wire so photogenic…? Hate what it does to wild critters, my clothes and my hide, but it sure is purty.

  3. It seems to be a common behaviour. Years back I watched a Wedge-Tailed Eagle being bombed repeatedly by Magpie Larks – who were considerably smaller that it was. They continued to dive and swoop until the eagle left.
    The plumage on the Red-tailed Hawk is incredible. Beauty and camoflague both. Thank you.

  4. Who’s the bully? Love this!

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