Two days ago, while I was photographing some Rock Squirrels, I saw a beautiful immature Cooper’s Hawk fly in and land in a tangle of trees near the squirrels.
Nearly hidden immature Cooper’s Hawk – Nikon D500, tripod mounted, f8, 1/500, ISO 500, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
As much as I wish the young Cooper’s Hawk had been out in the open that didn’t happen. Instead, I thought I would use one of the photos I took of it to show how well hidden the young of this species can be because of their almost cryptic plumage.
To the untrained eye, or for someone with failing eyesight, this immature accipiter might have been close to invisible. To my credit, I was able to point out the hawk to a man who asked me what I was photographing as he stopped to talk before walking past me.
After this young hawk left its perch and took to the sky, it used the thermals in the area to spiral up into the sky. I wish I could have photographed that action, but the sun was behind the bird.
Resting immature Cooper’s Hawk in the mountains – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light
When these immature Cooper’s Hawks are out in the open and in plain sight, they can be easier to spot and point out, sometimes.
I was thrilled when I found this hatch-year Cooper’s Hawk high in the Wasatch Mountains in October of 2019. The young accipiter hung around this spot for several days that year and I took hundreds of photos of this hawk.
Immature Cooper’s Hawk from a distance – Nikon D810, f8, 1/1000, ISO 400, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 52mm, natural light
This last photo of that same young Cooper’s Hawk was taken with my backup camera at 52mm, which gives about the same field of view as my own eyes. If this hawk had been positioned further to the left near the shrubs, it would not have been quite as easy for me to see.
Paying attention to my surroundings has always had great benefits for me as a bird photographer.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Cooper’s Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.
You have the best eye, Mia! Love the way the hawks eye is spotlit in the first shot!
That should read, “Hawk’s.” 😉
Shots of hawks on St. Patty’s Day…how cool is that? Wonderful pics. Thanks Mia.
Gosh you have a good eye and camera that spot the birds or animals. They all do blend into the backgrounds. Thanks for the post and Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you and your readers.