Red Tailed Hawk (10 pics)

davev

This is the same post that is in the challenge area.

So I go to the Nature Center were they have the bird feeders up.
Junco's, Cardinals, Gold Finches, Woodpeckers, they're all there.
I think, "this is great, I should be able to get one good pic from all these birds."

Well, I got to many that turned out. (Don't you just hate that):D

All photo's taken with a Canon XT with a Canon 70-300is lens.

So I start taking pics. (5 more in post 15)






I think I got some of the window sill near the bottom.





Then something happened that I didn't expect.
A young Red Tailed Hawk showed up.



The smaller birds stayed away at this point.



and I don't think it liked having me around either.



At first I thought it was after the smaller birds. Then I figured out what
it was really after. If you look at the bottom of the "pipe", you'll see a
red squirrels head peaking out.



As far as know, it went home hungry, no kill shots today.






Thanks for looking through all of these.
For you folks on dial-up, sorry.

If you'd like to see the EXIF's
The gallery is here: http://www.pbase.com/davev/xt

traunerk

All great...
but that last shot - fabulous. I was a little unlucky yesterday when a red-tail flew nearby. Wasn't prepared, ISO set too low and thus too slow a shutter speed, but at least the head was in focus...mine is below yours....Regards...Keith

Harryb

Outstanding shots Dave. What lens were yoy using?


Great shots Keith.

davev

Thanks guys.

Keith, nice shots.

Harry, I was using the new Canon 70-300is.

Harryb

Amazing you could get that close with a 300mm and I can't get that close with my 500.

Allen

davev wrote:

If looks could kil. Outstanding shots.
Al

davev

You'll hate this Harry.
The hawk was less than 15 feet from me while I was taking the pics with it
sitting on the bird feeder roof.:D A couple of the pics were shot through a
window, but most of them were outside. I took 104 pics of this hawk over
a 34 minute period.

I really like going to that Nature Center.
I talked to a worker/ranger there, and said in another part of the park/center, seeing
foxes and coyotes is common.

I have a new place to go tomorrow.:D

Awais Yaqub

wow just amazing last one is :wow

dallas

Beautiful Hawk pictures. Boy, he's an angry looking critter. I love the eyes.....

GREAPER

Great stuff Dave.

I have been shooting my birds at a local nature center as well. The sharp shinned hawk I posted was also shot there, he thinks the bird feeders are a buffet.... :

Rohirrim

Great shots, I especially like the last portrait.

Harryb

davev wrote:

You'll hate this Harry.
The hawk was less than 15 feet from me while I was taking the pics with it
sitting on the bird feeder roof.:D A couple of the pics were shot through a
window, but most of them were outside. I took 104 pics of this hawk over
a 34 minute period.

I really like going to that Nature Center.
I talked to a worker/ranger there, and said in another part of the park/center, seeing
foxes and coyotes is common.

I have a new place to go tomorrow.:D

I don't hate it I'm just a tad envious (like totally green). Just go back there again. It sound like a photo op heaven to me.

ginger_55

Shhhh, I don't have one of them places! I am whispering so that I don't SCREAM!

I have an ocean, maybe switching to shots of water would be good for me!

I mean I have places to go, but they are not compact. And one bird might be it for a two mile walk. I don't think I could walk two miles anymore. Not sure I really did, well, once I did, once this fall I know I did, but it almost killed me. And, haha, there were no birds/photo ops to "die for", so to speak.

I planned to really hit some places over Christmas, looking for eagles (singular eagle would be fine, OOF would be ok,), but we might need to go back to Charlotte.

We just got back today, I am winding down tired/exhausted.

I don't know what shot you entered in the challenge, Dave, but that last shot is a given finalist and who knows how far it could go.

Great shot!

ginger

bfjr

Great series
Neat to able to get that close

davev

Thanks everyone.

Here are a few more. The second tier if you will.






If only I wouldn't have chopped the upper part of the wing.



What it was waiting around for.



So, now that you're sick of looking at hawk pics....:D
Thanks for looking.