Banking in flight close to the ground.
1/5000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
This is the adult female Red-tailed Hawk I photographed two weeks ago today and posted several photos of previously. On that morning she and her dark morph mate were actively refurbishing their nest. They would take off from their nest high on a cliff, fly down nearly to ground level and hug the ground in flight as they searched for nesting material, which is what she’s doing here. On this sortie she didn’t find anything suitable until she was much too far away for photos.
With her so close to the ground I was lucky to keep her in focus. The Canon R5 gets part of the credit for that.
I was somewhat reluctant to post this shot because I’ve published photos of her before but I haven’t posted anything to my blog for a few days so at the last minute I decided to run with it. I like this shot in particular because her banking flight posture allows a good look at her ventral surfaces and because it’s apparent that she’s looking at the ground for nesting material. You know me and behavior…
Our nasty weather continues to keep me homebound (we got an additional 3″ of snow last night). Two days ago our forecast was for heavily overcast skies so once again I stayed home. But wouldn’t you know it, soon after dawn the skies cleared unexpectedly and they stayed that way for the entire morning. But by then it was too late to go anywhere.
So I wasted the only good morning light we’ve had for a couple of weeks. Bummer.
Ron
Note to Canon R5 users:
As of early this morning the much-anticipated R5 firmware update, version 1.8.1, is now available for download. I haven’t installed it yet but I will, despite its less than enthusiastic reception from some R5 users. Apparently some of them expected more useful features with this update.
What a gorgeous ventral view! She is a stunner — no apologies necessary for posting her again and again and again! That 4th primary on her left wing shows she’s working really hard. 💜
Thank you, Marty. They were both working really hard. And for them it was only a beginning.
It is lovely to start my morning with a post from you. And what a bird. She looks healthy, and skilled (low flying must have some particular challenges). I hope the update brings you lots of good things.
Thanks, EC. I don’t think that updates provides much that will be useful to me but you never know what they have buried in those firmware updates so I’ll be installing it anyway, just in case.
I love how her “belly band” appears as one straight-line, continuous pattern across her belly and both wings, kind of like a tank’s tire tread marks in mud … but of course she’s so much better to look at than that! Really glad you decided to post this image. ♥️
We had the “last” of our rain overnight (for about a week, anyway) and I’m looking at lovely ☀️ right now. Hoping it’s gonna be in both our neighborhoods for good, very soon!
“kind of like a tank’s tire tread marks in mud”
That brought a smile, Chris.
A few minutes ago it was snowing lightly when I walked past a very grumpy looking old lady in the parking lot of my grocery store. In an effort to try to cheer her up a little I smiled and nodded to her. In response she told me “Happy Spring!” in a sarcastic voice. That made me smile too.
I like how this photo captures all this female’s representative field markings – her dark patagials, dark head above a light breast, belly band and red tail. It’s a textbook example of the species’ “classic” plumage.
This unpredictable weather sure is posing challenges for many, including the migrating birds. Here’s hoping we all get a break soon that lasts.
“It’s a textbook example of the species’ “classic” plumage”
In stark contrast to her dark morph mate who looks very different. Thank you, Julie.
Always happy to start the morning with a great Feathered Photography RT shot. Thanks Ron.
Good to know, Michael. Thanks.
A beautiful capture Ron. Yesterday was the five year anniversary of our son Chris’ death. He has gifted us several Red-tailed sightings yesterday and this morning. And now another gift through you and your post. My first thought when I saw the image was wings spread wide for a hug. Thank you.
I really appreciate all the time and effort you put into your photography and blog. It brings great joy to so many of us. I wish for you continued healing, a return to pain-free mobility that allows many camping/photography trips, and the triumphant retiring of your handy-dandy grapper!
Mark, I remember the connection between your family and red-tails. Good to know I had good timing with this one. A day late is pretty good for me…
That R5 is really good and the photographer is outstanding. Look how sharp that close to the ground shot is. Like it has been for you there in Utah it has been for us here in Prescott. Rain, snow, wind, cold, and more water than we can handle. Now having to release water from our two largest lakes that temporarily cannot handle more. Really good here in the SW to have so much water, but negative effects include the complete lack of wading birds stopping by. There are no low water areas nor mud flats etc.
“Rain, snow, wind, cold, and more water than we can handle”
That’s us in a nutshell, Everett. The difference is that most of our water is still frozen.
Nice! She stands out amazingly well from the background. 🙂 Kind of need to keep up on the updates even if they aren’t all one would hope for….. 😉
Maybe an inch of snow overnight – whoopie…… 🙁 Belt Creek low for this time of year – not running down by town of Belt so Highwood mountains are it for now – does NOT bode well for the summer.
Your moisture situation doesn’t sound good, Judy. You can have some of ours.
Lyle’s right– she looks very strong and healthy and well-fed ! It would be fun
to know, out of all the sticks and weeds out there, a bird bypasses 99% of
what’s on offer and zooms straight for the 1 or 2 pieces which are apparently
nest-worthy— because— why?
I dunno, Kris. I’ve wondered the same thing.
She’s looking pleasingly plump. An auspicious look for what we hope is to come. Nice 3D effect.
Thanks, Lyle. You’re right about the 3D effect. Usually I notice stuff like that but this time I didn’t.