The day I photographed this young Red-tailed Hawk, I took 135 images of the immature raptor in just a little over a minute at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.
Young Red-tailed Hawk up close – Nikon D500, f10, 1/500, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
It was a sunny morning, and I had already made one loop around the auto tour route at the refuge. I had taken hundreds of photos of cranes, ducks, herons, Rough-legged Hawks, kestrels, coots, swans, gulls, and ravens.
I was delighted with my images, but I was also feeling very peaceful. Going to the refuge almost always has that effect on me. That feeling is a big part of the reason I enjoy the refuge as much as I do. It centers me, grounds me, and connects me with nature.
While I was driving slowly back towards the interstate to head home, I spotted this gorgeous young buteo perched on a wooden post. Even though I pulled way over to the opposite side of the road, the bird was so close that I could only take portraits of the young Red-tailed Hawk.
I’m never going to pass up a chance to take close up images of my subject if I am not disturbing them, and I wasn’t disturbing this young hawk. The Red-tailed Hawk was looking for prey, and while I took images of them, they actually dove to the ground, missed the prey, and flew back up to another nearby wooden post.
When the young Red-tail missed their intended prey on a second attempt, she or he flew past the front of my Jeep to continue hunting in an open field to the south.
At the end of an already extremely productive and relaxing morning, this young Red-tailed Hawk was a thrill to have in my viewfinder.
Life is good.
Mia
Photo taken in February of 2022.
Click here to see more of my Red-tailed Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.
Though I love all birds, Red-tailed Hawks have a special place in my heart. There was one that lived near my childhood home, and I can remember sitting on the porch and watching it languidly slip across the sky. It’s the closest I have to a spark bird, and I’m always thrilled to see them. Your images of this bird (as of so many others) are gorgeous!
OMG!!!! You have just lit up my world with this beautiful shot! The detail, the color and, of course, the RTH’s incredibly vivid eye. Wild and free and young. Remember when we were like that? Trouble is…I was never that good-looking. Thanks Mia.
So very beautiful I love the variation of colors in the feathers
Amazing images as usual, Mia!
Wow, a very impressive portrait.