The sturdy, broad-winged buteos tend to be large raptors with correspondingly slower movements than most smaller birds. Most of the time when I’m watching them they’re hunting from an elevated perch or soaring overhead and in neither situation do they typically demonstrate much quickness or agility.
But they can put on quite the show when they need to.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4, not baited, set up or called in
Last fall this juvenile Red-tailed Hawk had already made an attempt at prey (a vole) while hunting from an old metal gate and after it came up empty-taloned it landed on this sign very close to the original perch. Most of the time it was concentrating on the hillside rising in front of the bird so it had its back to me and I assumed that it would take off away from me and give me more butt shots that would end up in my delete bin. I was wrong.
The bird turned its head to scan the slope directly behind it, spotted a vole in the grass…
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4, not baited, set up or called in
and instantly twisted and crouched to give it some spring at take-off…
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4, not baited, set up or called in
and then launched in the exact opposite direction than it had been facing on the perch.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4, not baited, set up or called in
Since at this point the hawk had virtually no air speed it had to flare every available flight feather to keep from stalling as it gained momentum. You can see how quickly this turn was made by noting that the sign post is still sharp. At this distance from the bird (46 meters) with my camera (Canon 7D) and my lens (500mm without teleconverter) at this aperture (7.1), my depth of field for sharpness is about 7 ft. so the hawk had to be within that distance from the post when I snapped the photo. I suspect it was actually significantly closer to the post than that.
Note: here’s a link to a very good DOF calculator for any photography geeks out there…
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4, not baited, set up or called in
In the next image the hawk is already gaining speed, even this close to the perch (seen at lower right of frame and it’s still sharp).
Since this blog post is more about the athleticism of the hawk than the aesthetics of the images I’ve left the sign post in the last two photos. If I were to actually print these shots I’d have to consider whether or not to clone it out – always a difficult decision for me.
The agility and quickness of these large birds is impressive and I thought this series demonstrated that fairly well (and no, I don’t remember if the hawk caught a vole this time – I know, “take notes, take notes!).
Ron
The RTH is my favorite raptor, and one I get to see and hear regularly. Usually they are sitting on a light pole or in a tree near the edge of the road, though. So amazing to see how agile they can be!
Gorgeous photos Ron!!!!!!!
Thanks Jerry. Mia and I were mentioning just yesterday that we hope to run across you in the field again sometime soon. We both need another “Jerry and Shyloh” fix.
This is yet another incredible series. The flexibility and athletiscim of the red-tail are amazing. And your photos capture it so very, very well.
I’m glad you liked the series, Elephant’s Child. And yes, their athleticism is impressive when they choose to use it.
The best picture, for me, is that marvellous feathering of the flights.Absolutely brilliant! (Thanks for the dof link)
Diane, I was hoping some might find that DOF link helpful. Thanks for mentioning it.
These are absolutely breathtaking!!
Thank you, Susan.
RT’s and hawks in general miss more than hit when it comes to hunting.
But I called this RT up and he said he had a successful strike and appreciated the pictures you took!
I must agree. 😀
Tim
So 48dodger was able to call this bird and verify the catch. I’d like that bird’s number. I have a LOT of questions I’d like to ask!
I hope he got the vole, Tim but now that I think about it I’d likely have remembered it if he had. And I agree with you, from my observations they come up empty more often than not. Especially these young birds.
@Patty lol….me too! I tried to call her back, but she changed her number…..just my luck. 😀
Tim
Spectacular images and sequence shots Ron!
Thank you, Nancy.
Wonderful! Never saw that before…always straight on. I like the sign post left in…esp. since this is a series…adds context and reference…is fine as far as composition is concerned. Love the sense of imminent action the twist conveys in the second frame. great shots. Thanks, again.
I like that twisting posture too, Patty. Thanks.
Fantastic images, Ron. The second and third images took my breath away! I literally gasped when I saw them–how exquisitely beautiful!
I’m glad you enjoyed them, Sharon. Thank you.
Love this series…..Great shots!!♥
Thank you, Sheri.