One serious looking Red-tailed Hawk juvenileOne serious looking Red-tailed Hawk juvenile – Nikon D500, f9, 1/400, ISO 250, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

Yesterday I was up in northern Utah near the nest that the wind blew down around the middle of June, the same nest where one of the “downed” Red-tailed Hawk chicks was hit by a vehicle and where later one of them had to be captured and euthanized because it had sustained injuries that made it impossible for it to survive.

I felt dread just being in that area again because I didn’t want to find the third surviving juvenile dead. I knew the last time I saw it that it could just barely fly and that by now it would be flying well and possibly hunting on its own.

I was pleased and relieved to see the surviving Red-tailed Hawk juvenile perched on a corral close to the edge of the road and looking well fed and healthy not too far from where the blown down nest used to be. My fears melted away and I spent time photographing the beautiful, young Red-tailed Hawk in nice morning light. I liked this image because the young hawk looks so serious, so determined.

This young raptor hasn’t had an easy life so far because of being blown out of its nest by 80 mph winds way before it was time for it to fledge but because of the care and dedication of its parents it is doing very well despite the hardships it has faced. It seems to be flying well now but is still begging for the adults to feed it, it was quite vocal the entire time I had my lens on it. I hope to post more photos of this Red-tailed Hawk again soon.

What a survivor.

On another note, Ron and myself met up with April Olson; who comments here on my blog frequently, to join her yesterday morning while she set a rehabbed Burrowing Owl free in the area. It was great to finally meet April, put a face to her name and to see and photograph the Burrowing Owl as it flew to its freedom. We had a nice long chat afterwards too. I will share photos of the Burrowing Owl release later.

Life is good.

Mia