Red-tailed Wading

Gallery: AvianPosted October 10, 2011180 views12 comments

Took this photo yesterday of a Red-tailed Hawk wading in a large puddle. This is the female of a mated pair of hawks that are year around residents at Croton Point Park. I've seen this behavior 5-6 times, occasionally they bathe. Decided to leave the little shore bird in the upper right in the frame. Wild bird, not baited. Nikon D300s with 300mm f2.8+1.4 tc. ISO 1/400, f5.6, shutter 1/800. Thanks for looking, comments, critique welcomed. Ray

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by David Sewell on October 10, 2011 at 2:18 PM

I like the low angle here. Good reflection too.

David

Registered on September 10, 2008, 63 Posts, 801 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on October 10, 2011 at 8:00 PM

REally cool to get this bird in the water like this and have a nice low angle to boot. I think it's a little bright - could use some warmth as well but overally real nice. You may want to consider cropping out that bird in the URC

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

Comment posted by Verdon on October 10, 2011 at 8:10 PM

Ohhhhhh my gosh, three thumbs up, congrats to great shot!!!!!!!!

Registered on June 10, 2011, 147 Posts, 1444 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on October 10, 2011 at 9:01 PM

So he wants to be a shore bird! Great rarely seen shot of a hawk taking a bath.

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

Comment posted by Graham Brown on October 11, 2011 at 6:32 AM

I like the composition Ray with both the ripple and reflection. You've given the bird a good bit of room and the bird in the background doesn't bother me.Maybe I might try to tone down the light areas on the bird a touch but overall an effective image. Graham

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

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on October 11, 2011 at 7:58 AM

Fabulous shot Ray, the POV, the detail, and the very unusual behaviour you've capture of a raptor!

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on October 11, 2011 at 8:51 AM

Very special image, Ray. I especially enjoyed the larger view.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on October 11, 2011 at 3:13 PM

Nice low perspective. Love the reflection. For me, this is an amazing image of a red-tailed. How did you manage to get so close?
May

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

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on October 11, 2011 at 7:55 PM

Thanks May, I've been taking pictures of this bird for three years at the same park, from the time she was a juvenile. If I approach slowly and stay low she usually tolerates me. For this shot, I crouched down and approached her when she was at the waters edge then stood up when she was in the middle of the puddle so I could get the reflection.
Thanks all for the comments, appreciate it.
Ray

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

Comment posted by Angela McCain on October 11, 2011 at 11:04 PM

Nice catch. I've never seen this behavior. Great low angle and nice reflection as well.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on October 16, 2011 at 6:58 PM

Details look great, like the birds reflection and those concentric ripples add well also Ray.
Probably best without the bird URC, but subjective.
I might bring the bird down a hair, but a wonderful image as posted.
Can't remember ever seeing a RTH wading before..Maybe his mom was a heron?

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on November 12, 2011 at 7:10 PM

Great opportunity to catch this red-tailed duck!

Excellent behavioral shot of a behavior I've never seen, yet alone recorded. Well done.
Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments