Adult Red-tailed Hawk in front of mountains on a smoky day – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
Last week I photographed a very cooperative adult Red-tailed Hawk that was next to a road in the West Desert of Utah on a smoky morning. I was surprised by how calm this adult Red-tailed Hawk was. Usually the adults are far more skittish than young hawks but this one was exceptionally confiding. It only moved once while I observed and photographed it and that was just by going to the top of another nearby juniper.
Red-tailed Hawk in West Desert foothill habitat – Nikon D500, f9, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 18-200mm at 50mm, natural light, not baited
This photo shows habitat where I found the Red-tailed Hawk after driving past it to get a good light angle. Can you see the hawk?
Red-tailed Hawk in West Desert foothill habitat – Inset
The inset pinpoints the Red-tailed Hawk perched high on a juniper.
Almost directly above the Red-tailed there is a tiny black speck in the sky, I didn’t notice that bird flying over when I took this photo but when I blew the file up on my screen it appeared to be a Cooper’s Hawk.
Adult Red-tailed Hawk looking over the foothills – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
The adult Red-tailed Hawk moved to the second juniper next to the road. The hawk appeared to be scanning the ground below it for prey.
Red-tailed Hawk adult looking over its shoulder from a juniper – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
The adult Red-tailed Hawk seemed undisturbed by the movement of the vehicle I was in despite it being moved a few times for different angles of light and backgrounds.
West Desert Red-tailed Hawk against a smoky sky – Nikon D810, f9, 1/800, ISO 500, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
In fact this adult Red-tailed Hawk was so accommodating that I thanked the raptor and left it where it was perched after taking this photo.
I like the one errant head feather that showed in most of the photos that I took of this Red-tailed Hawk for some reason. I can’t explain why but I do. In the last image I also liked being able to see the one faded tail feather that this hawk will probably molt very soon.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Red-tailed Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.
I always love your shots – and am in awe of your eyesight.
I am pretty certain I would have missed the red-tail – unless it moved.
Exceptional photography of a beautiful bird.
I love the colors and the expanse of nothing but nature too. I hope it was a cool morning and somewhat clear of smoke.
Now that is a red tail! Thank you. Love these and especially the locator graphic. So nice to see the wide open spaces too. Coming into fall and the woods will soon open up again.
Love these photos. Raptors are definitely favourites for me. I especially appreciate the landscape/environment shot which helps me understand where you (and the raptors) “hunt”. And that head feather . . . ; no one can really resist a cute cowlick, can they?
Love these shots!!
Tough Summer and Fall all over this country!
Stay safe!