The first obviously mated red-tails I’ve seen this season.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
It’s unusual, even rare, for me to capture the red, fully-flared dorsal surface of the tail of an adult Red-tailed Hawk in flight – at least in a photo I like for other reasons too. Lots of things have to come together for it to happen so when I got lucky with this one two days ago I knew I’d post the photo to Feathered Photography, even though the image has at least one strike against it. It’s been cropped significantly and I think it shows.
If nothing else it’s a reminder of what’s possible if I keep trying.
For the last several weeks I’ve been watching for the first signs of red-tails pairing up for the nesting season and this bird was the first I’d seen with its mate. They were together when I first spotted them but as I drove up the other one flew off. This hawk is taking off to join its mate on a far-away cliff.
Next time I’m in the area they should be nest-building and mating. Baby red-tails coming up.
Ron
Such a striking photo, Ron. I love this red-tailed hawk. The determined gaze, all flight and tail feathers fanned and flexing. Even the talons on the feet are open. Like a stop action video, I expect the bird to burst to life and continue its flight.
Much appreciated, Melanie. Thanks.
Heavily cropped or not, there’s so much to like about this shot! That red tail against the blue, blue sky. Superb! I hope Laura gets a chance to see this post.
Thanks, Marty. I hope she does too. I’m quite concerned about her.
OMG Ron I have been being followed by Red tails and have some beautiful perched photos . I appreciate the share! For me as. Reikimaster and spiritual light eater this means so much more! I sai today where are you and we’ll here she is!
Thanks for the share!
Grege (silentlistenreikimaster)
Thanks, Grege.
“Baby red-tails coming up!” Best news I’ve heard in quite awhile 😎 — and what a beautiful shot of this adult and that lovely tail. A rare view indeed for those of us down here on the ground.
“Best news I’ve heard in quite awhile”
Me too, Chris. It’s been a long, cold winter.
Thanks for a beautiful sign of spring to come ! An accomplished painter couldn’t key a copper/orange and a cerulean blue better than this to compliment each other .and then there’s the magnificent hawk
right in the middle…….wow…….
Much appreciated, Kris.
Very nice photo. I think all bird photographers really appreciate it when the tail shows up that well. Looking forward to those little Red-tails. Seeing signs all over of the beginning mating behaviors. Have seen a couple Mallard female dunkings and our House Finches have started to build nests.
Thanks, Everett. Our Mallards have been going at it for several weeks.
Excellent display of the layering of the rump feathers, upper tail coverts and rectrices.
A bit of an optical paradox: at once a 3-D effect and yet the left primaries look as if they could almost be brushing over the rock.
No snow – What the?
“No snow – What the?”
Lyle, there was still lots of snow on the ground. But that rock is south-facing and up high where the wind does its thing with snow.
Beautiful! Nice contrast with the blue sky and hint of how that type of rock will provide some camoflage before too long. That tail is amazing…… 🙂
“That tail is amazing”
That’s my reaction too, Judy. As common as they are I never get tired of seeing that tail.
To me this is just beautiful. You say that the cropping shows – not to this neophyte. Could you explain? thanks.
“Could you explain?”
Frances, there isn’t as much fine detail as there would be if I’d been closer. Plus, even after a large crop the hawk is small in the frame.
This is great. There’s a lot of these magnificent birds where I live. Thanks for your fantastic picture.
Good to know you have so many of them, Jimmy.
Beautiful, great shot!
Thanks, Dick.
Love a good Red-tailed shot, and so you provided us with another one. It really stands out nicely against that bright blue sky.
The promise of spring. Looking forward…
Glad you like it, Michael. Thanks.
Love the post Ron!! I can totally understand your excitement at getting this capture. what an awesome raptor with a gorgeous tail!!
Thank you, Jo Ann.