Zone-Tailed Hawk - a first for me

PrescottPhotog

Hi Everyone,

I was out today and ran across this fellow, and he was huge. At first I thought it was a Turkey Vulture but as it approached I wasn't sure what it was.

It was very hard to photo because it was so black, just a touch of color around the head. He was a long ways off and only made one pass and was gone. I was shooting the 500 + 1.4 handheld.

When I got home and looked it up from what I can tell it is an adult Zone-Tailed Hawk. The book says it hangs out in the hills and mountains of the Southwest, but I have never seen one before. It was pretty cool looking and lumbered along like an eagle or other very large bird.

All the birds must be in full migration because I am seeing quite a few different critters lately. Two eagles were over the lake all day today but didn't come close enough to get a shot.

Sorry the pics are a bit fuzzy, I couldn't get a lock on the black body. I only snapped 4 shots and he was gone, the other two were way OOF.

#1

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#2

bfjr

most excellent capture, well done

how the chicks doing

PrescottPhotog

bfjr wrote:

most excellent capture, well done how the chicks doing

Hi Ben, Thanks for the compliment.

I was a bit worried this week because Mama Hawk has been hanging out on the edge of the nest and then all of a sudden she climbed down into the nest and acted like she was still sitting on the eggs but she had been off them for almost a week. I was worried something went wrong but today she was on the edge again and after an hour or so she shredded a critter and I could see her leaning way down into the nest so there has to be at least one chick.
Papa Hawk stopped by today for about a minute.. looked down into the nest and then was gone.

I guess it might be a while before they grow enough for me to see them or they can climb to the edge. I can't tell from my view point how deep or how long (going toward the back where I can't see) the nest is, it looks pretty big. As soon as I can get a photo I will surely post it.

Ric Grupe

Sorry the pics are a bit fuzzy

A first is always good!

They will do until one comes by again.

Sometimes I actually pass up shots because I'm thinking "I've got one better than this would be". There are some mixed feelings that go along with that.

Maestro

Congrats! That does look like a huge hawk. I have never seen one.

canucklehead_7

Congratulations! Beautiful bird....cheers...Don

Jim T

You gotta love those firsts!! Nicely done.

PrescottPhotog

Ric Grupe wrote:

A first is always good!

They will do until one comes by again.

Hi Ric, He was back again today but didn't come close enough for a good shot.

PrescottPhotog

Maestro wrote:

Congrats! That does look like a huge hawk. I have never seen one.

Hi Stephen, They are huge and the book says they are easily mistaken for a Turkey Vulture and that was my first thought when I saw it. Same gliding, swooping flight until he flapped his wings. Fun to watch but very hard to photo being pure black.. just like trying to get a good shot of crows, no contrast, no focus.

PrescottPhotog

canucklehead_7 wrote:

Congratulations! Beautiful bird....cheers...Don

Hi Don.. Thanks for viewing and for the compliment.

PrescottPhotog

Jim T wrote:

You gotta love those firsts!! Nicely done.

Hi Jim, Thanks for the compliment..

Harryb

They are a tad sofy but they are the best captures of a zone-tailed hawk I've seen. So until something better comes along