Red-shouldered Hawk - immature????

Dixie

I am assuming that it is some type of hawk, possibly a red-tailed hawk. I was riding up US 278 just outside of Beech Island, South Carolina just before getting to Augusta, Georgia. I happen to see this bird sitting on the side of the road and immediately did a U-turn to go back. I expected it to be gone or fly off as soon as I slowed down, but it was still just sitting there after I came to a full stop. I was even able to cross the highway and walk right up to it.

My first thought was that it must be injured, but when I looked at it closely I couldn't find any sign of injuries. It didn't fly far, but it did take to the air three times while I was there taking the photographs.

I figure that whatever it is, it must be very young, but I'm not even sure of that. I couldn't find the bird with the exact same markings in a bird book so I'm thinking that it may be an immature bird of prey (possibly a Red-tailed Hawk). Hopefully some of you who have much more experience with birds and birds of prey will have a better idea than I do.

For those who are interested - I was shooting from 5-15 feet from the bird. I had to use the 1.8 meter setting on the EF 100-400 mm lens that I was using to be able to focus that close. It never seemed to be frightened of me. It even walked towards me after two of its short flights.

Comments and suggestions are welcomed.

Click on the images to see the EXIF data.

raptorcaptor

Great captures Dixie! That's a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk.
Hasn't learned to stay away from people yet. We had one at Bolsa Chica a couple years back that let us get about that close.

Dixie

Here is one more shot just to show some of the markings with its wings spread. ...it is an absolutely horrible photo, but at least you can see some of the markings better.

photocat

Whatever the bird is, the photograps are splendid... Love the sharpness and the textures of the feathers. Nice blurring of the background too. Eyes are extremely sharp, great shots! I hope someone knows what it is and hopefully it will survive in the wild if you think it could have been a young animal...

Dixie

raptorcaptor wrote:

Great captures Dixie! That's a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk.
Hasn't learned to stay away from people yet. We had one at Bolsa Chica a couple years back that let us get about that close.

Thanks, Glenn. Those were the two that I was debating about. I should have gone more with the breast colors and given the edge to the Red-tailed Hawk. I appreciate your input.

Dixie

photocat wrote:

Whatever the bird is, the photograps are splendid... Love the sharpness and the textures of the feathers. Nice blurring of the background too. Eyes are extremely sharp, great shots! I hope someone knows what it is and hopefully it will survive in the wild if you think it could have been a young animal...

Thanks, photocat. I feel sure that it will be fine. As stated, I couldn't see any injuries, it could fly, and it was very alert. It may not have been afraid of me, but it should watched me - should I say it - like a Hawk.

Harryb

Beautiful shots Dixie.

Giphsub

Very beautiful shots

dbaker1221

terrific captures!!!

Ann McRae

Excellent shots Dixe. Great eyes on the bird. You must be pleased that you got so close.

ann

Maestro

What an opportunity and you did well taking advantage of it. Glenn is correct. It is definitely a young red tailed hawk. If there were any doubt, your quick flight snap definitely shows the red tailed hawk's tail.

Dixie

Harryb wrote:

Beautiful shots Dixie.

Thanks, Harry.

Dixie

Giphsub wrote:

Very beautiful shots

Thanks.

Dixie

dbaker1221 wrote:

terrific captures!!!

Thank you, Dave.

Dixie

Ann McRae wrote:

Excellent shots Dixe. Great eyes on the bird. You must be pleased that you got so close.

ann

Thank you, Ann. Nope, I can't complain about getting close. You're only too close to something if it can eat you.

Here is one last one:

Dixie

Maestro wrote:

What an opportunity and you did well taking advantage of it. Glenn is correct. It is definitely a young red tailed hawk. If there were any doubt, your quick flight snap definitely shows the red tailed hawk's tail.

Thank you, Stephen.

Giphsub

another beautiful shot there!

Dixie

Giphsub wrote:

another beautiful shot there!

Thanks, Mike.

BBiggs

These are beautiful! I love the colors in these alot! Nice work!!!

Dixie

BBiggs wrote:

These are beautiful! I love the colors in these alot! Nice work!!!

Thanks, Brenton. Your comments are appreciated.