I don’t get many opportunities with accipiters but yesterday morning this Sharp-shinned Hawk gave me several.
1/1000, f/5.6, ISO 1000, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I photographed this juvenile as it was hunting small birds in the Centennial Valley of Montana. I had a clear look as it pursued several birds and I observed a fascinating and ingenious hunting technique that I’ll describe in detail in another post when I have a better internet connection (right now I’m camping).
Here the bird was mostly resting in-between hunting forays. The sun had only been up for a couple of minutes so the light is dappled as it filters through the vegetation. I like the light on the face, the rock perch and the way the hawk is partially framed by the fall grasses.
Ron
PS – It was 14 degrees F just prior to taking this photo. I love these cold early mornings but I’m hoping my camping trailer pipes don’t freeze again like they did last year…
Great shot Ron! Hope you are having a wonderful time!
Charlotte
What a terrific opportunity, Ron! And, as usual, you made the most of it. Superb details of this gorgeous youngster! Wonderful light but that temperature thing is confusing. 14 what?? Degrees?? My thermometer doesn’t go below 50. 🙂
I’m with you, Diana. The tail is stunningly beautiful – and it looks squarish, versus rounded like the Cooper’s who would probably have a darker cap, too.
I am so glad that the trip is good – and loving the sneak previews you are sharing.
I thought your 14 degrees was a typo. We thought it was 27. I did have to wear a warm hat and a windbreaker to start chasing the ducks. Lovely picture.
nope, not a typo. there’s a cold sink where the south road meets the road to the lower lake campground.
Great photo…small detail: I really like that you got just a little bit of its talons in the shot!
Great Photo as always. Ah it does it get chilly and you can’t just let your water trickle to keep from freezing like at home where you have city water.
In Ellensburg WA (central WA) one winter it was 30 below at night. & warmed up to 20 below during the day. I had a bathroom sink with the water trickling but it was so cold the water froze in the raisers & lifted the sink up enough to fall of the hangers & fall into the bath tub. DANG it was COLD.
Now live in Phoenix AZ where we get 110+ in summer & maybe 30 in winter. Wished I could be in a happy mid point.
Looks like you guys are having a great time with plenty of opportunities. Can’t wait to read the follow up on the sharpie.
have fun!
Great photo! Such a challenging species to photograph, and you found the perfect handsome little guy/gal! Kudos!
Beautiful. Was it the early morning sun that softened what you typically get in dappled light?
Nothing like “sweet light”!!! Early morning or late afternoon….
It looks so peaceful sitting there – beautiful lighting and detail. Little on the “chilly” side 🙂 Hope the pipes held.
A gorgeous portrait! I hope your pipes behave for you.
Outstanding…can’t wait to hear the rest of this story. I, too, love those crisp mornings, but frozen plumbing…yeah, no. 😉
Wow, Ron – how I love early morning light!! It has such a pure essence to it and it gives everything it touches an inner beauty!! This juvenile hawk is so handsome & I’m looking forward to hearing the story of it’s hunting technique!! Now for me – 17 degrees is much too cold – I’ve lived in FL much too long!!
And I Ron like the perfect tail feathers in this first year bird. Untouched by life and hunting experiences. Thanks.
Gorgeous. 14 degrees? YUM! But yes, frozen pipes = not good. 😀