Red-shouldered Hawks

Gallery: AvianPosted December 12, 200710,342 views42 comments

It's rare to find two Red-shouldered Hawks so close to each other. So I took exactly one zillion

shots since they sat this way all morning.

After the fire burned most of my dead trees (which I had kept standing for perches), the hawks have to share the remaining perches in the yard. This perch is a favorite since it is cold in the mornings and the sunlight hits here first. Plus it is right in the center of Gopherville. This was taken at sunrise this morning as these two are warming up and squawking for a meal. Usually they will not sit so close to each other, but I think that they are family.

This shot is full frame. I did trim a touch off of the top for composition. The full size version is extremely sharp.... I'm very happy with this new camera.

Nikon D300
Nikon 500mm f4
Nikon 1.4 tc
1/320 @ f9
iso 125

Comments welcome

Comments

42 comments

Comment posted by Anders Nielsen on December 12, 2007 at 12:02 PM

This is an incredible shot - congratulations.

Registered on February 25, 2007, 24 Posts, 304 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on December 12, 2007 at 12:04 PM

Holy Cow! What an opportunity! Sorry about the fire...
Great shot showing front and back and good detail, too!
Sharon

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

Comment posted by Keith A Anderson on December 12, 2007 at 12:45 PM

Truly awesome image! I can't get a decent image of a single hawk much less two showing off front and back plumage. The "c" shaped perch makes for a really interesting composition, too.

Registered on February 13, 2006, 166 Posts, 1818 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Linstead on December 12, 2007 at 2:15 PM

Hey, that's just awesome, Charlie! Just super in many respects!

Scott

Registered on March 25, 2006, 144 Posts, 398 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on December 12, 2007 at 3:21 PM

Nice unique composition showing front and back. What time does your yard open for visitors? Its only 6 hours from Phoenix!

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

Comment posted by Satie Sharma on December 12, 2007 at 3:22 PM

This is simply fantastic! I love the complimentary poses, light and detail in this one. And everything else too.

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

Comment posted by Lance Warley on December 12, 2007 at 3:41 PM

Front and back!

Echoing what's already been said, Charlie!!!!!!

Registered on April 18, 2007, 52 Posts, 459 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Zipp on December 12, 2007 at 4:02 PM

Man, this is so sweet!!!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 86 Posts, 940 Comments

Comment posted by Kyle Quattromani on December 12, 2007 at 4:04 PM

Awesome!!!

Registered on May 22, 2006, 31 Posts, 75 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Conway on December 12, 2007 at 4:12 PM

Fabulous shot Charlie!

Peter

Registered on June 25, 2007, 347 Posts, 3913 Comments

Comment posted by Gabor Papp on December 12, 2007 at 4:14 PM

it's perfect..enough said.

cheers

Gabor Papp

Registered on December 4, 2007, 2 Posts, 14 Comments

Comment posted by Bob Steele on December 12, 2007 at 4:39 PM

Wow, Charlie, that's pretty awesome.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 354 Posts, 13896 Comments

Comment posted by Greg Cope on December 12, 2007 at 4:52 PM

This is so cool! Not only two Red Shouldered together, but positioned showing off the front and back. Awesome

Registered on January 22, 2007, 212 Posts, 2737 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on December 12, 2007 at 5:04 PM

Wonderful! I like the upward extension of the tree branch at the top perch and lateral extension at the bottom perch. Seems to compartmentalize the image in some fashion.
David Sparks

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by Mack Barham on December 12, 2007 at 5:05 PM

Awesome shot - I love the perch! How is the high ISO noise with the D300???

Registered on August 12, 2005, 537 Posts, 1107 Comments

Comment posted by Christina Evans on December 12, 2007 at 5:45 PM

Very wonderful to see front and back like this, and everything so clean and clear. Red-shouldered Hawks here in Florida are paired up right now also, as they have begun their nesting season.

Registered on August 3, 2007, 5 Posts, 67 Comments

Comment posted by Whum on December 12, 2007 at 5:50 PM

Hey, cool catch. What are the odds? Nice shot.

Registered on June 6, 2007, 131 Posts, 696 Comments

Comment posted by Gaurav Manglik on December 12, 2007 at 6:07 PM

excellent ...

Registered on December 2, 2005, 191 Posts, 2126 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 12, 2007 at 6:46 PM

Incredible Charlie! Not only did you get front and back in one shot, you got great poses from both birds, wonderful lighting and a perch that looks like it was made to show off the two hawks. Maybe the photography gods are trying to make up for your fire losses - ya think? Congratulations on a wonderfully unique image.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on December 12, 2007 at 6:55 PM

Simply spectacular Charlie!

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

Comment posted by Tom Lusk on December 12, 2007 at 7:18 PM

Incredible, simply incredible...

Registered on September 17, 2005, 312 Posts, 600 Comments

Comment posted by Neil Losin on December 12, 2007 at 8:41 PM

This is so dang cool!!! Killer stuff Charlie!

Registered on September 16, 2005, 145 Posts, 3524 Comments

Comment posted by Buck Ward on December 12, 2007 at 11:03 PM

Great picture. Red shoulders are the most common hawks in my area but I can't remember having seen two together like this. The lower one is particularly striking looking, enhanced by the open beak and the little tuft of feathers on the head .

Registered on December 8, 2003, 96 Posts, 1917 Comments

Comment posted by Giorgio Gregori on December 13, 2007 at 3:59 AM

Hi Charlie,
thanks for this wonderful shot .
Congrats

Registered on November 16, 2007, 87 Posts, 793 Comments

Comment posted by chris hajee on December 13, 2007 at 8:00 AM

fantastic

Registered on January 18, 2005, 179 Posts, 2384 Comments

Comment posted by Krijn Trimbos on December 13, 2007 at 1:41 PM

SO COOL!!!!

Registered on October 18, 2005, 260 Posts, 2979 Comments

Comment posted by Joe Fuhrman on December 13, 2007 at 9:54 PM

Charlie, two words.........cover shot-enough said!

Registered on January 13, 2004, 0 Posts, 1 Comments

Comment posted by Danny Shelton on December 13, 2007 at 10:31 PM

Outstanding X 2.

Registered on October 2, 2007, 14 Posts, 1029 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on December 14, 2007 at 12:06 PM

Oh wow, Charlie!! This has to be the nicest RS Hawk picture ever!

And, many congrats on getting the Honourable Mention in EPA 2007!

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

Comment posted by Mark Wilson on December 14, 2007 at 2:18 PM

Oh wow!

Very, very nice Charlie.

Registered on May 17, 2006, 70 Posts, 1166 Comments

Comment posted by Jose Suro on December 15, 2007 at 7:47 PM

Superb catch! And you made the most of it. Hard to get any better.

Best,

Jose

Registered on June 24, 2006, 267 Posts, 2273 Comments

Comment posted by Phillip Tomkinson on December 16, 2007 at 6:43 AM

Hi Charles a absolutely stunning image I really can't pick any fault with it, I have a similar image to this of 2 red kites taken in Wales this year and I am and has pleased with that as you must be with this fine image.

Phillip.

Registered on July 14, 2005, 194 Posts, 427 Comments

Comment posted by Manos Papadomanola on December 17, 2007 at 9:37 AM

Great shot Charlie!!!!

www.birdphotography.gr

Registered on November 11, 2007, 12 Posts, 268 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Wegemann on December 17, 2007 at 8:33 PM

Holy cow! This is stunning!

Registered on December 14, 2006, 58 Posts, 1888 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on December 17, 2007 at 9:26 PM

Beautiful image!!

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on December 18, 2007 at 12:11 AM

Wow, this is sweet, certainly a well deserved editor's pick!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by David Williams on December 18, 2007 at 1:22 AM

Superb shot in every way, Charlie.........well deserved pick, too!

Registered on March 8, 2005, 315 Posts, 2291 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on December 18, 2007 at 1:27 AM

A front and a back version on the same perch, pretty awesome. Hey congratulations on the pic and my sincere sympathy on your losses in the fire Charlie.

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

Comment posted by Lance Warley on December 18, 2007 at 5:32 PM

Congrats on the richly deserved EP, Charlie!!!

Registered on April 18, 2007, 52 Posts, 459 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Spiecker on December 26, 2007 at 11:41 AM

I guess I missed this ones Charlie. Congrats on a well earned EP! This is a great photo. As you mention, I don't think I have ever seen two together like this. Well done. So what are you doing with the remainder of the zillion shots?

Registered on March 23, 2006, 366 Posts, 4649 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Cordes on January 1, 2008 at 11:04 AM

Lucky man Charlie! All hawks around here fly away abut 2 nanoseconds after they see my camera. The open beak on the lower one and the catchlight in the eye of the upper one make this a worthy winner. Congratulations on the receiving the Annual Editor's Pick Award. It is well deserved.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 451 Posts, 3366 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on January 1, 2008 at 8:27 PM

Wonderful pair. Congrats on the 2007 EP.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments