Hawk!

Gallery: AvianPosted September 10, 2011116 views8 comments

I was recently on the way to dinner at a friend's ranch and saw this raptor on a fence. Got three shots taken before (s)he took off, but my problem is that I don't know what species this is. Anyone know? I'm having no luck with my internet search. Photo info: Nikon d300s 70-200 f 2.8 wide open +1.4 TE, handheld out of the truck window. Pretty serious crop of the original to eliminate the really ugly metal fence rail. C&C's and/or bird expertise very welcome.

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on September 10, 2011 at 11:14 PM

Nice, looks like a juvenile Red-tailed hawk.

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Cross on September 10, 2011 at 11:20 PM

Looks to me like an immature red-tailed hawk. Classic belly band is characteristic. Tail has hints of the grayish color with several bands. Cooperative bird.

Peter

Registered on April 3, 2010, 271 Posts, 1342 Comments

Comment posted by Russell Colletta on September 10, 2011 at 11:39 PM

Hey thanks! Red-Tails are very common around here, but this is the closest I've been to a juvenile. Gotta work on my birding skills.

Registered on October 31, 2009, 114 Posts, 1008 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on September 11, 2011 at 7:45 PM

I like the way he is looking at the camera. Nice detail for a large crop. I think I would try cropping a bit less to maintain the toes and tail even if the perch is less than exciting. The background works well with the subject too.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Olsen on September 12, 2011 at 1:46 PM

Nice photo with a clean background. I would like to see a little bit more of the fence rail, so the claws aren't cropped off.

Registered on October 19, 2006, 306 Posts, 1571 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on September 12, 2011 at 9:45 PM

Beautiful background and nice to catch the hawk looking into the camera. I would vote for inclusion of the tail and toes even if it means more of the fence.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Larry McFerrin on September 12, 2011 at 11:50 PM

Russell, this is a Red-tailed Hawk. It is a fairly young bird, possibly a first year but not a juvenile. Nice image for a heavy crop.

Registered on March 30, 2008, 34 Posts, 272 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on September 14, 2011 at 12:54 AM

I find red-tails to be hard to approach around here, so congratulations on this good look. Another vote for including the railing, no way it's so ugly as to warrant cutting off the toes.

Might give the bird a bit more selective sharpening and lighten up the entire photo a touch. I think this has a lot of potential, talking wall hanger here!

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments