An extension of yesterday’s post.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Yesterday I posted eight photos of the female rufous Red-tailed Hawk as she performed a wing stretch and then regurgitated a pellet two days ago in northern Utah. This photo was taken three minutes later, soon after she took off from her rocky perch. It’s one of only two shots in the flight series that didn’t have clipped body parts or was sharp enough.
Her body was rotated toward me enough to provide nice light on her underside and left wing. I like the bokeh in the natural background, her flight posture and sharpness. At first I thought she might have a muddy right foot but it’s only shaded by her left foot.
After several days of sun it’s looking like we’re in for a few days of bad weather and crappy light so I hope you don’t mind all the photos I’ve been posting lately of this unusually colored and striking hawk.
At least she’s easy on the eyes.
Ron
Magnificent shot Ron! thanks for sharing!
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.
Don’t mind it at all!! She is one beautiful Red-tail.
I’ll be thanking you tomorrow for our bad weather! Supposed to get a foot in the mountains (actually hills compared to the rockies), and a few inches where we are in the valley. Had enough of brown, gray colors looking forward to green, and flowers!
Thanks, Dick. It’s been raining here all morning.
Wow, she’s a stunner! Glad old Murph seemed to be in the loo for this shot. For some reason, I’m pleasantly surprised by those lighter feathers. I’m sure I’ve seen her flight feathers before, but this morning I guess I expected all of her to be the darker variant. Must be lack of sleep — the dryer at the shelter went out, so I was up really late doing some laundry for them and then early this morning to set up for the mom and pup fosters I’m getting this afternoon.
So that’s where he was (part of the time). He was in the loo!
Yes, those lighter feathers under her wing really stand out with good light on them. Thanks, Marty.
Beautiful bird. The contrast between the dark leading edge of the wing and the light flight feathers is striking. Hope weather conditions continue to improve along with your badk.
Opps that was a typo but I think I just invented a neologism for “bad back.”
Thanks, Ken. Had to look up “neologism” but at least I guessed its meaning correctly from context and etymology… 🙂
Wow. Really nice shot Ron.
Thank you, Bradley.
I really like this shot. The background enhances her coloring. A real beauty~
She sure is. Thanks, Arwen.
Great shot Ron. Love her color and love the underside of the wings, both the fully exposed one as well as the shaded one. Murphy had been banished for this photo.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
Thanks, Everett. Good riddance to him.
Well, Ron – I’ve missed your last 3 blogs due to my back giving me problems. Was flat in bed since sitting at the computer was a no no – and I know you understand. Don’t apologize for RTH & Magpie photos. Both birds are not only interesting but are also beautiful to look at!! As for the crummy weather you are in store for – it’s Mother Nature making sure you give your back a rest!!
I have extra sympathy for anyone suffering with back problems, Jo Ann. Good luck with yours and thank you.
“… I hope you don’t mind all the photos I’ve been posting lately…” Hah! That’s a good one Ron. I’ll go way out on a limb and say I’m pretty sure none of us are bothered at all. Congrats on your clear weather and really glad you ducked Murphy for a couple of shots going airborne. This hawk is such a beauty! Love this photo.
Thank you, Dave. It’s unusual for me to post so many photos of the same species, not to mention the same bird. But I think this hawk deserves special attention… 🙂
Beautiful! 🙂 Murphy did take a hike, even if temporary for this shot. Wing detail is wonderful as is the bokeh in the background with all the colors of everything in the photo blending VERY well yet letting the hawk stand out. 🙂 Few days of “spring” here also with blue skies, temps in 40’s and no wind – we’ll take it! 🙂
Judy, no wind is always a bonus in your area this time of year.
Regarding the background bokeh – those almost black streaky blotches back there are sagebrush before they leaf out. It will look so very different in just a few weeks.
Very easy on the eyes for sure! 😍 I love the ‘angel wing’ poses they give right after take-off before the extension of their wings. You caught her perfectly in that. I certainly hope I will be lucky enough to catch one with her coloring someday. Even during her act of regurgitation she is beautiful. My morning routine has changed somedays and I caught the post quite late yesterday…great photos… ❤️I could look at more of her…hopefully you will get her with her young this season. Up at 4:30 and to the gym twice a week changed my morning routine so I’m readjusting my morning-time but getting there. Those photos of the cow birthing reminded me of the excitement of a phone call from my son when he was milking for a neighbor farmer when he was in high school…he was alone and a cow gave birth to twins. He had been present and instructed as to procedure before but this was the first time for a multiple birthing. I always told him he sounded like a new father!
Kathy, I’ve seen rufous red-tails before but never one that was this red. I’m so happy she’s hanging around. Since her mate is a more typical light morph it should be interesting to see what their offspring will look like.
Hi Ron, great to see that “Good ol’ Murphy” decided to go elsewhere during your photo shoot, love the detail on the head and wings as well as the background! I also really love the foot position, showing that she literally just left her perch!
I also tend to look at bad weather as the universe’s way of trying to force me to try something different, so maybe if it rains or snows you could use that in your photos. Better than the alternative that’s for sure! Plus, nothing beats seeing and watching nature, no matter the weather!
Actually, ol’ Murph was sitting right on my shoulder when she took off, Xavier. I clipped or lost focus on a lot of potentially nice shots after she took off. Thankfully, Murphy was apparently distracted for this photo and one other.