Mystery Hawk

bradpowellphoto

I managed to photograph a hawk this weekend that I had never seen before on Vancouver Island. Some fellow photographers have tentatively id'ed it as a dark morph Harlan's Red Tail Hawk.

I have seen him at this location once before and he took off before I could get in range.

This time he was kind enough to sit and watch me for a while before taking off.

Anyone else care to guess what he is?

Lindiwe

Absolutely beautiful, is what he is. Unfortunately, that doesn't exactly help with the ID!
Nice capture!

JimJ

Brad, I believe it is an adult Harlans Hawk, which is a phase of the Red Tail.

Jim

kdog

JimJ wrote: »

Brad, I believe it is an adult Harlans Hawk, which is a phase of the Red Tail.

Jim

I concur.

Excellent shot of a beautiful bird.

jwear

Rough-legged hawk dark morph

kdog

I have shots of what appears to be the same species here: http://www.jacara.com/cpg144/albums/az_birds/IMG_0003.jpg
and here: http://www.jacara.com/cpg144/albums/az_birds/IMG_0006.jpg

I was told by some experts that it was a Harlan's.

PGM

I love how sharp his eye is, and how well lit he is, and that beautiful bright blue sky. Beautiful bird.

imagesofhim

Lindiwe wrote: »

Absolutely beautiful, is what he is. Unfortunately, that doesn't exactly help with the ID!
Nice capture!

Amen!

konomaniac

I like the way the branch on the right mimics the shape of the hawk's claws (talons).