Same Red Tailed Hawk; Same Tree; Different Days

Maestro

I found a new Red Tailed Hawk to photograph. This is in a different location in my hometown. I found her on two different days but she was almost in the same spot in the tree both times, but I had a slightly different perspective each day.

First day, in very early morning sunlight. She wouldn't let me get close. She seems very wary of my presence as are most Red Tailed Hawks. I could do without the busy background. Beggars can't be choosers. I do like the light though.




Then she takes off. I was able to track her just a bit. These aren't horrible BIFs for the distance.







The next time I saw her, a few days later, I was only able to capture a few perches.









She pooped after that and flew off. :scratch I guess that is her way of saying what she thought of me taking her photograph. :rofl

Harryb

Good set and the crop on the BIFs works very well. Its always a thrill to get some raptor shots.

Maestro

Harryb wrote:

Good set and the crop on the BIFs works very well. Its always a thrill to get some raptor shots.

Thanks Harry. For some reason the past two weeks I have not been able to find the hawks. I've only seen one from a distance lately. I thought they would be more active now that it is mating season.

ShepsMom

Great catch Maestro! Consider yourself lucky she didn't poop on you . That would have made one great shot!

Maestro

ShepsMom wrote:

Great catch Maestro! Consider yourself lucky she didn't poop on you . That would have made one great shot!

Yes, it would have made a great entry to the "Butt" thread.

dbaker1221

good captures I have not seen any hawks lately either.

Ric Grupe

These hawks seem to know the limits of our lens and move just beyond what we would like to have.

Nice shots.....but I know you would like to have been closer. When you figure out how to do that.....let me know.:D

Maestro

Ric Grupe wrote:

These hawks seem to know the limits of our lens and move just beyond what we would like to have.

Nice shots.....but I know you would like to have been closer. When you figure out how to do that.....let me know.:D

There have only been four times when I was able to get relatively close to the red tailed hawks. The first time was luck. The hawk just flew right over me with a few good return passes.



The last time was luck as well. This one just flew right in front of my truck. I stopped, pulled out the 100-400mm lens and took a few.



The two times in the middle were as a result of prey fixation, at least with one I am sure of this and the other I am pretty sure.


and


The prey it was looking at was just below it in the grass. At this point, the hawk was become a bit wary of me as I had crept quite close by this time.

Thanks for giving me an excuse to repost some pics. But hey some new people have joined the forum lately. They might enjoy them.

Maestro

dbaker1221 wrote:

good captures I have not seen any hawks lately either.

Thanks Dave. I too am wondering where they have gone. Perhaps they are nesting now caring for young and only out to get prey and then back to the nest with no loitering. I really do not know. I hope they come out soon.

riddim_maker

Thanks for sharing, Maestro

dallas

Good shots.....it looks like you can make a new friend.

Maestro

Thanks Russ and William. Except for vultures, this is about the only raptor in my area.

Ric Grupe

You saved the best for last!

I knew luck would be the determining factor.:D

No BS now.....(lookout!).....but, I was driving down a country road on my way to a place where I knew a GBH liked to hangout, when this hawk swooped down and flew right outside my window and paced the car for at least a hundred yards. No way in hell I could get a shot!!!!:cry Oh...I was going about 25 mph at the time.