Cooper's Hawk? W/REPOST for ID

Gallery: AvianPosted February 22, 2010226 views18 comments

I'm assuming this is a coopers hawk. He was just about to take off while calling to his mate. Shot near Ancote park New Port Richey FL
Canon 7D 300 mm 2.8 L lens
ISO 320 f6.3 #1/1600 hh

Comments

18 comments

Comment posted by Drew Fulton on February 22, 2010 at 1:47 PM

Cheryl,
It's a great pose and a beautiful image. It does make for a tough ID since you can't see a lot of the bird's breast but I think I am going to go for juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk rather than Coopers. The patterning on the breast is the first thing that tipped me off, plus it feels like a stockier, heavier bird than a streamlined Coopers.

Whatever the species, its a great pose.

Drew

Registered on November 1, 2003, 43 Posts, 357 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on February 22, 2010 at 2:26 PM

WOW! Would love something like this in my portfolio... really incredible shot with just a 300. Your Cooper's assessment seems right. I also really enjoy the composition.

- Luke

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by mark cillo on February 22, 2010 at 2:37 PM

Great pose and excellent detail.

Registered on July 27, 2008, 143 Posts, 1483 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on February 22, 2010 at 3:21 PM

Hard to judge from this angle/body position, but I'll second Drew's feeling that this is a juvie Red-shouldered Hawk.

Do you have any other photos of this bird showing it more upright, from the side or back, etc.

The image is excellent - great capture of the action.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Larry Fischer on February 22, 2010 at 5:19 PM

I agree, unusual pose.
Ultra detail; I like the sharp talons.
Cheryl, you "done good".
the fisch

Registered on July 28, 2008, 155 Posts, 874 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on February 22, 2010 at 6:18 PM

Excellent job here, Cheryl! I am leaning towards this not being a Cooper's.

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on February 22, 2010 at 7:08 PM

Here a better view for ID

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on February 22, 2010 at 7:08 PM

Cheryl, first, great shot. I love the bird's posture and and open beak. Great feeling to this one. I like the dappled light too. To me, this is def a juvie red-shouldered hawk. Even though it is tough to see clearly, the pattern on the breast, the shortish tail, the face and beak shape and color and the overall look and posturing of this bird just screams red-shoulder to me. It helps that I see these birds just about every day. Well done.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on February 22, 2010 at 7:26 PM

Great pose! You have really bought this hawk to life.

Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on February 22, 2010 at 9:10 PM

Thanks - the upright image is much better for ID and I agree this is a Red-shouldered Hawk.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on February 22, 2010 at 9:25 PM

Great capture of this Red-shouldered Hawk Cheryl. That screaming pose is awesome. I really like the way that you have composed this, however I would be tempted to give it just a smidge more room on top. You have really been getting some nice raptor shots lately.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on February 22, 2010 at 9:47 PM

Thanks everyone for the comments and positive ID

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on February 23, 2010 at 4:20 AM

Wonderful pose and action. Can't comment on species but it doesn't look like an accipiter to me.

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on February 23, 2010 at 11:26 AM

Great action Cheryl , well done

Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on February 23, 2010 at 2:59 PM

Superb action shot, Cheryl.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by Graham Brown on February 23, 2010 at 3:43 PM

Superb action shot Cheryl. That lens is really sharp the bird is detailed throughout. Must be nice to get this close to a raptor. Graham

Registered on November 20, 2007, 275 Posts, 1365 Comments

Comment posted by Satie Sharma on February 24, 2010 at 5:34 AM

Love the action here, Cheryl. Nice detail and techs too.

Registered on November 11, 2003, 189 Posts, 5335 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on February 24, 2010 at 11:31 AM

Cheryl,

Definitely a young red-shouldered hawk, great calling pose too!

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments