Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Landscape & Nature Photography => Topic started by: Bob_B on February 02, 2017, 01:44:14 pm

Title: Red tailed hawk
Post by: Bob_B on February 02, 2017, 01:44:14 pm

This fellow is a common sight in my backyard where he feeds on squirrels and smaller birds. He is seen here in my neighbor's black walnut tree shortly after eating a pigeon.

Thank you for viewing. Please feel free to comment.

Bob

Title: Re: Red tailed hawk
Post by: Paulo Bizarro on February 03, 2017, 04:31:50 am

I think it is a good documentary shot, in good light. The background is busy, but given the circumstances, not much could be done about it, probably.

Title: Re: Red tailed hawk
Post by: syncrasy on February 03, 2017, 12:37:10 pm

Agree with Paulo. Interesting documentation shot but too cluttered to make it an aesthetically-pleasing photo. Branches always make this a tough shot.

I might be wrong, but I wonder if this bird is actually a Red-shouldered Hawk. I'm seeing reddish barring on the breast. (An eastern Red-tailed Hawk typically would have a more white breast with a brown, streaked belly band below.) See: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-shouldered_Hawk/id (https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-shouldered_Hawk/id)

Do you have any other angles?

Title: Re: Red tailed hawk
Post by: Bob_B on February 03, 2017, 03:42:50 pm

Thanks Paulo and syncrasy. I don't know about the identification, but you could well be right. This bird is smaller than what I thought is typical of red tail hawks. At first I thought it might be a juvenile cooper's hawk, but the photo suggested not, and pointed more towards a red tail. Red shouldered hawk? Maybe. I don't have other angles right now, as this photo was the first time the bird allowed me to get in photo range.