Red-tail breeding season approaches and I’m more than ready for it.
As I sit here stuck in the house day after day in anticipation of forecast storms that always seem to peter out my thoughts go to early breeding birds and photo ops. Magpies have already begun refurbishing their nests and some of the raptors won’t be too far behind, including Red-tailed Hawks.
I’ve posted other photos of this recently fledged red-tail and ‘his’ sibling in the past but this one is new to Feathered Photography.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
I’d been following this youngster and his sibling all spring but this was the first time I’d seen either bird out of the nest. It’s very possible, even likely, that this was the morning they fledged. Both were extremely awkward and ungainly and could barely fly. Whenever they tried they were like misguided missiles. I watched as one of them crash landed on the side of an almost vertical cliff.
This guy was practicing his perching skills and believe me he needed the practice. He simply could not stay on the old sagebrush stump without teetering and falling off, no matter how often he tried. But he was determined so he made the attempt multiple times. When he eventually had some modest success he wandered off, apparently to look for another challenge.
As I type this at 4:30 AM another impressive-looking storm is on our doorstep here in northern Utah. I could tolerate the endless overcast days that keep me from photographing birds if only we’d get some significant moisture, preferably snow, out of one or more of them. We need it desperately.
Maybe this storm will be the exception but I say that every time one approaches, only to be disappointed. .
Ron.
Such a cute baby face still! They are so fun to watch as they learn to balance fly and understand if what they land on is strong enough to support their weight. I hope there are nests and within camera shot this spring.
I hope so too, April. After a year like this one it’ll be therapy for me…
I do hope that you get your moisture. And lots of it.
Precarious his balance might be but it is better than anything I could manage, even if I practised until the cows came home.
EC, It’s wet outside but that’s about it. So far at least.
These RTHA sibs (and others you’ve tracked over the seasons) are likely my favorite subjects, you always catch their most earnest behaviors as they learn to be Big Hawks. As always, I dearly hope they make it to that point, though their odds are not good. Sorry no snow there yet, but signs look hopeful, apparently — and we got this beautiful young hawk in the meantime!
Thank you, Chris.
I remember the previous post of this youngster but didn’t notice the iris color. BotW has juveniles as gray, but this one appears rather olive-colored.
It’s just started snowing here in nw Washington. I’ll go out and try to blow it your way.
Blow as hard as you can, Lyle!
Boy.. do I hold my breath when our baby Balds fledge…. a wing and a prayer is all I think ❗️
4-10 inches of new snow at Lake Tahoe today and it sounds like more is comin 😁
Diana, it’s sprinkling here but a mouse could pee more than we’ve had so far.
It is a nice image. I love the ability to follow a subject (bird) over time to learn about its development. Your descriptions of the behaviors definitely add to the experience of viewing.
Much appreciated, Bruce. Thanks.
There certainly is a “learning curve” involved for all young no matter how much is programed into them…..😀
Hope you get some snow. We got “teased” with a +1 yesterday afternoon that left during the night when it cleared off. It’s -20 this morning. Sure glad there IS snow on the ground to protected it some even if it’s pretty dry snow. Feel for those calving right now and many are……😞
“Feel for those calving right now and many are”
Judy, there’s lots of reasons I wouldn’t want to be a rancher but calving season is near the top of the list, especially in MT.
They’ve gotten to where they calve SO early weather is a real risk as are scours etc. Shippers don’t like “damaged goods” like frozen ears etc. so it’s a double whammy.
Ron, just started following you daily postings and certainly enjoy them. Regarding the threat of winter storms… we here in southwest Idaho were, I repeat, were enjoying a relatively warm winter with what I thought were early signs if spring. I even took my snow tires off my “birding pickup” this past week. My guess is that we have 4 to 5 inches of snow this morning with more on the way. So, maybe you will be getting some of this snow too. Thanks for sharing your pictures and experiences.
Keith, a good friend in Boise just a few minutes ago said they have 4-5″ on the ground and it’s snowing hard. That storm is headed our way so maybe, just maybe…
Be careful out there with all that snow and no snow tires mounted.
Like watching our children taking their first steps and continually falling down until they finally get it. Of course our wildlife friends have to get it right very quickly in order to survive. Always fun to watch the fledglings trying to keep their balance while landing on various branches, posts, etc.
Excellent photo, subject, background, colors, all of it.
Thank you, Everett.