These are some of the most exciting raptor photos I’ve ever taken.
Four years ago I photographed a fight between these two juvenile Red-tailed Hawks. All 8 photos are presented in the order they were taken and I posted many, though not all of them back in 2014.
1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
These skirmishes are almost impossible to anticipate when you’re watching one of the birds through a telephoto lens and don’t even know there’s another one in the area and that was the case here. I had my eye glued to the viewfinder as I watched this juvenile hunting from a sign post and at first everything was calm and tranquil, to the point that I was admiring the sunflowers and enjoying the irony of the sign it was perched on.
That tranquility soon ended abruptly.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
I figured things might be about to get interesting when the hawk honed in on something high above and watched it intensely. There were blackbirds and a kestrel in the area so I thought one of them might buzz the hawk but for fear I’d miss the action I didn’t dare take my eye away from the viewfinder. I’ve done that before and missed all the excitement in my photos and didn’t want to repeat those miserable performances so I primed my trigger finger and waited for something to happen.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
This next photo speaks for itself – incoming!!!
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
It was another juvenile Red-tail, coming in for the attack. I never could decide if the attack was serious or just play-fighting between two juvies, possibly even siblings. But either way….
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
it appeared to be plenty serious to me. The perched bird jumped almost straight up to meet its attacker.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
In a case like this it doesn’t bother me much to clip or cut off wings as long as I get all the essentials. This close to the birds while shooting with a 500mm lens I was lucky to get most of both birds in the frame and get them sharp, especially considering the speed and unpredictability of the action.
- What I’m about to admit will likely confirm your previous suspicions that I can be just a little bit weird. When I look at the color patterns beneath the right wing of the bird on the left it makes me think of the coiling of a Nautilus shell. And it gets even worse. In the patterns of the darker markings up top on that same wing I see two things – the head of a raptor looking to our right (specifically another Red-tailed Hawk) and a word spelled out that begins with a capital “C” but I’m still working on the rest of the letters. Does anyone out there have access to an avian Rosetta Stone? (or perhaps a Urim and Thummim if you have Mormon connections like I do…)
Ok, back to reality.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
This is the last shot I got of the fracas before I lost focus when the birds separated. Notice how the left wing of the lower hawk intersects the right wing of the other bird. I’m not sure but I believe the intersection occurs right at the alula of the bird up top. I think it’s an interesting intermingling of wings, structures and feathers.
Immediately after this shot was taken the aggressor landed on the ground to the right of the sign post and the hawk that was originally perched on the sign flew off to my left.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
This is the attacking hawk as it eventually took off amongst the sunflowers.
I’ve only been able to photograph an attack like this involving Red-tailed Hawks two or three times and I believe these were my best results. One of the distinct memories I have of the experience is my pounding heart when it was all over and that memory has lasted for four years now.
For me the memory is as much fun as the photos. Well…. almost.
Ron
Great Shots! Once in a lifetime! Thank you for sharing, Ron!
Thanks very much, Gail.
Exciting indeed!
🙂
Ron, just seeing those talons reminds me of how sharp they are, having felt them. Your shots are wonderful especially the eyes of the juvie facing outward in the last shot of the two of them. Great series. Thank you; Diana
Yup, those talons can do real damage, Diana. I always like seeing them in my photos.
Excellent shots, outstanding series, wonderful post!
I was surprised that you had your camera set for 1/2500, and did so well with your shots. If you had to do this again would you stay at that speed or increase it? Just curious.
Dick, those shots were taken with the 7D which didn’t manage noise as well as the 7DII. I was more reluctant to use higher ISO’s with that camera then I am with the newer one.
Besides, when I first started shooting the hawk on the sign I had no idea at all that the situation would transform into action shots with two birds.
Of course I saw the nautilus and the raptor in the wing (I look for shapes in clouds too). And remembered some of my siblings’ battles. Which were occasionally very violent (and LOUD).
What an incredible scene to watch. My heart would have been pounding too.
Yet another wonderful series.
EC, we had such incredible fluffy white clouds in Montana that I don’t know how one could resist looking for shapes in them. Not a good thing to be doing when you’re driving tractor though…
Amazing. Simply amazing. I saw two short ears do that, but my distance was too great and my 400mm lens got stolen. I will just live vicariously through you:) P.S. Your finger looks like you just knicked it. That is karma, sir.
Thanks, Suzanne, Sure sorry about your lens!
It took me a while but I see the underwing hawk. The series is like watching a ballet. Just outstanding images.
Yes, I see that “hawk” better than the other two things I mentioned, Lyle. Thanks.
oops, yes, I looked at the wrong tech, makes more sense.
WOW!!! What a fabulous action series!!! Love the irony of the sign, the perching bird, the skyward glance at in-coming trouble, the fray itself and the peaceful agressor flitting through the flowers…love it all!!!
Thanks very much, Patty.
Wow great captures and both birds so clear at f4. With my set up I would have to be at f8 to get the depth of field.
Yes I see the Nautilus and hawk in the wing pattern, but then I grew up in the generation where as 14 year olds we looked for subliminal messages in the advertisement of liquor in magazines. To this day I still see images in other things in nature and mention to my companions. I was voted first to die and be eaten by my travel companions in Australia, I was always distracted by something.
April, I was actually at f/7.1 for these shots. Without the tc attached I think that helped with DOF.
Ha, I sure hope your traveling companions were wrong!
What a great series Ron – well captured. I like to think they were rough housing around.
I think there’s a good chance that’s what they were doing, Zaph.
First, weird is good. We weird folks see a bunch of obvious things that others miss and that’s good. I’ve also noticed the Nautilus pattern along with the hawk’s head in the feather patterns. The Nautilus pattern is one that repeats frequently throughout nature, but sadly, I can’t come up with even one example among the available examples at the moment–maybe later in the day. That’s one of those things I knew yesterday but the memory has retreated to the back of my memory belfry…with the bats and spider webs. LOL!
And yes, you had me at redtail 😉 The outrageous dynamics of this series is gobsmacking with its crisp clarity and raw beauty. Having watched these encounters in real time, I can attest to the fact that they’re almost always over before they begin, and our substandard human eyesight just can’t keep up with the action. All we see is a blur. I also can’t help but notice the overall dirty feet of the attacker and the fresh blood spot on the right foot of the attackee, indicating they’re both hunting and eating most of the time.
The good thing with juvies is that it’s almost never a serious fight. Even as adults, their fights are more bluff than bloodshed, although bloodshed happens if the two parties involved are more stubborn than discretionary.
“First, weird is good”
That’s a damn good thing for me, Laura!
I figured you might enjoy this one… 🙂 Thank you.
Great job Ron! Excellent captures of this intense moment between the two RTHA’s. I bet you were excited anticipating what would happen next once you saw the first hawk on the post get into “ready” position.
Yup, I didn’t know for sure what to do, Ed. I really wanted to look up from my camera and see what was coming in but in this case at least I’m glad I resisted the temptation.
I think I forgot to say what great photos these are. What wonderful action, as others have said.
Thanks, Nancy.
Yes, I see what you see. I also see, in the second to last photo, the head of a hawk looking right on the bottom of the left bird’s wing! When I was a kid, we had some off-white linoleum with indistinct gray “squiggles” on it. I spent a lot of time “finding” animals and other things in the squiggles. You’ve taken me back a few years. (I’m older than you.) And it’s fun. Never noticed such things in a bird until now. You may have pushed me off the deep end!
I think it’s kinda like finding recognizable shapes in clouds.
Imo, this particular “deep end” isn’t a bad place to be, Nancy…
WoW!! What an exciting group of photographs. Each one a stand alone photo! Love to be around to witness one of these skirmishes. I’m glad neither of the hawks got injured.
And I’d love to witness it again, Joanne. Photos would just be a bonus.
To quote Laura Culley, you had me at Red-tail! And I do see the Nautilus and (after a bit more study) the head of another RTH in that wing; the colors & patterns of their feathers are always fascinating! As for the rest, I’m out. However, these images are wonderful (and I’m hopeful it’s just siblings honing their skills for when they will really need to go on the attack) … thanks for sharing (again).
“And I do see the Nautilus”
Ha, glad to know that at least someone else sees it, Chris – so maybe I’m not completely weird…
Fabulous series! Wow! So exciting! My heart rate definitely rose while scrolling through these. I did get a good giggle from the hawk/sign irony in shot 1. The raptor head in 6 becomes stylized/cartoonish in 7 because of the extended allula (looks like a cross between an eagle and a parrot to me).
And just to show you that I’m as weird as — or possibly weirder than — you are, when you mentioned a word starting with c, I figured you were going for the “feckless” one and gave you 3 out of 4 letters with some scribbles after the c.
Marty, that word “feckless” has always mystified me a little. It means “lacking initiative or strength of character; irresponsible”. So if you can be feckless why can’t you have feck? As far as I can tell there’s no such word as feck, except for the Scottish for whom it means “majority”. Makes no sense to me…
Spectacular Ron!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
“…as long as I get all the essentials.” Gotten and wonderfully so, great job holding on during this wild fracas, looks pretty serious to me.
“as long as I get all the essentials”
I’ve come a long ways in that department, Dave. There was a time when I’d have been extremely disappointed to clip a wing, even in action shots like these.
WOW– just gorgeous–especially the last one among the sunflowers………as an art form, I do believe that these “stills” convey action and tension far better than so-called
“action adventures” in film/video do—all that quick motion obscures the postures of intent and deadly focus which you’ve captured so clearly here……..you see “visions” in
the markings, but I “heard” music–“The Ride of the Valkyries”—while scanning these wonderful images !
“I do believe that these “stills” convey action and tension far better than so-called “action adventures” in film/video do”
I’ve always held to that same belief, Kris. Which is one of several reasons I seldom use video.
Great stuff.
Thanks, Martha.
Simply spectacular, Ron! What a rush to witness the drama unfolding!
A rush it certainly was, Diane.
Incredible shots! I do see the raptors head in pic #6 . I think my favorite pic is #7. Wow….nice way to get my day going! Thank you Ron!
You’re very welcome, Steve.
Wow! Absolutely fantastic!
Thanks, Sharon.
Ron,
These photos are astonishing & wonderful. What a gift you gave us this morning.
I’m glad you enjoyed them, Hila.
Great action photos! I love that you were able to capture this interaction. As for what you see on that one bird’s wing, I can’t quite get the nautilus shell, but I think the last “letter” is a W… 🙂 You aren’t weird – you just have a good imagination. I find patterns/shapes like that in the rocks at our park. And many of those formations have official names relating to the animals they resemble.
“You aren’t weird – you just have a good imagination”
Thanks for that confidence in my lack of weirdness, Susan (but don’t bet the bank on it…).
Clearly, I am similarly weird…
Ron, good morning. Definitely your most exciting post since I have been a follower. Beautiful and remarkable photos. I can imagine the work and movement on your part trying to stay with them and keep them in frame. What an outstanding job of action photography.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
Thanks very much, Everett. And you’re right, when they move so fast in three dimensions tracking them is very difficult. But as I always say (and it’s true) Lady Luck played her part.
WOW! GREAT capture, Ron! 🙂 It looks slow motion here but know how fast it happens. The acrobatic movements they can perform is amazing! The pattern on the underside of the wing is interesting as is the intersection of the wings – wonder if any damage gets done from that? The last photo in the sunflowers is beautiful!
I’m glad you like that last shot, Judy. I’d never posted it before because the hawk was near the top of the frame making composition a little unconventional but I like it too.
Excellent. I do remember these and they are just as spectacular as previously.
I see the head very clearly but only the ‘c’.
“I see the head very clearly but only the ‘c’.”
That’s all I see clearly too, Judy. I keep trying to make “Cheney” out of the word but I’m not there yet…
WOW, WOW, WOW, Ron!! Totally understand your pounding heart!! What an experience to have & your series of captures are so beautiful!! These Juvies are spectacular & the action is such a “wow” factor for the series!! I couldn’t make up my mine for a favorite, but especially loved 4,5,7,&8!! What can I say – I have a terrible time making up my mind!! I have a terrible time culling my photos too & my jaw dropped when you told us how many you have to go thru because of your finger injury – GULP!!!
Jo Ann, I’m afraid I haven’t made any progress with that culling the last few days. It still hangs heavily over my head. Thank you.
Ron – Beautiful shots, fun to look st them. As for that underwing, I see it as you do,m even the raptor’s head. But the letters? 😉
Richard, except for the capital “C” the letters are a reach for me too but I do keep trying… 🙂
These are great! I would hope these are siblings practicing for the real world… :-). The anticipation and quickness these birds react with is amazing…and your ability to catch so much of it in focus is pretty amazing also. Yes it is a little weird the things we come up with when we study our photos but I sure do see the raptor head also! The last photo is especially eye catching to me…the brightness of the sunflowers adds an element not often associated with raptors; but then it really works if you consider the ‘angel-wings’. That could be considered weird too! 😏
“your ability to catch so much of it in focus is pretty amazing also”
I was pleasantly surprised by that, Kathy. Usually at least one of the birds is soft and I don’t get any shots with all of both birds in frame. It helped with depth of field that I wasn’t using my teleconverter. In these situations luck always plays a part and it can go either way.
Sometimes you’re the windshield and sometimes you’re the bug…