Nature Red-Tailed Hawk

Red-Tailed Hawk · **1 Like**

I went back for another crack today at what appears to be an immature Red-Tailed Hawk. I mistakenly identified him as a Sharp-Shinned Hawk yesterday. He was still hunting the same farmer’s field and kindly granted me about two minutes to snap as many shots as I could. Today, I upped the shutter speed to 1/1500 sec. which helped a lot with these handheld 400mm shots. ISO was 800 @ f 9.5 or so. I used my Honda Civic as a blind again and shot through the sunroof at about 25 feet. I’d never get this close on foot.

I think he was getting a little annoyed here.

Pentax K5, SMC Pentax M 400/5.6

Tom G

rhe · 08-15-2012, 01:29 PM

Great shots Tom! Good use for your Honda Civic...aka mobile bird blind.

Thanks for sharing.

8540tomg · 08-15-2012, 01:53 PM

Thanks rhe,

It is surprising how close raptors will let you get in a car. I suspect they see it as no particular threat

On foot - these shots just wouldn't be happening.

Tom G

fotogaffer · 08-15-2012, 03:53 PM

Very nice shots of the Red-tailed hawk - I've never been able to get nearly that close - car blind or not! I especially like number 4 with the menacing stare. Well captured. Thanks for sharing.

**eaglem** · 08-15-2012, 03:56 PM

Good sharp detail and colour in these shots, well done Tom.

8540tomg · 08-15-2012, 05:11 PM

Originally posted by fotogaffer

Very nice shots of the Red-tailed hawk - I've never been able to get nearly that close - car blind or not! I especially like number 4 with the menacing stare. Well captured. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks photogaffer,

I've been trying for years and only got close enough in the last two days. I liked number 4 as well. All raptors have death in their eyes don't they?

Tom G

8540tomg · 08-15-2012, 05:13 PM

Originally posted by eaglem

Good sharp detail and colour in these shots, well done Tom.

Thanks eaglem,

I think this is about as good as I can get things hand held with the 400mm.

Got to find some way to set up a tripod in my car/blind.

Tom G

slowpez · 08-16-2012, 04:36 AM

Your captures here are spot on. Great sharp detail. Beautiful bird. Congrats on a great series of images.

**iwillau** · 08-16-2012, 04:54 AM

Magnificent! One doesn't want to be at the receiving end of those claws though!

8540tomg · 08-16-2012, 05:36 AM

Originally posted by slowpez

Your captures here are spot on. Great sharp detail. Beautiful bird. Congrats on a great series of images.

Thanks Susan

Most kind.

Tom G

8540tomg · 08-16-2012, 05:39 AM

Originally posted by iwillau

Magnificent! One doesn't want to be at the receiving end of those claws though!

Thanks willau,

They are nasty looking hooks.

Tom G

**Bob Harris** · 08-16-2012, 05:51 AM

that increased ss really did the job Tom, wonderful photos here to view.

8540tomg · 08-16-2012, 07:52 AM

Thanks Bob,

The K5 is a pretty impressive camera. I wonder what else it can do

I haven't explored yet.

Tom G

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08-16-2012, 07:52 AM	#13
8540tomg Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,461 Original Poster	Thanks Bob, The K5 is a pretty impressive camera. I wonder what else it can do I haven't explored yet. Tom G Last edited by 8540tomg; 08-16-2012 at 08:06 AM.

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08-15-2012, 01:29 PM	#2
rhe Closed Account Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 271	Great shots Tom! Good use for your Honda Civic...aka mobile bird blind. Thanks for sharing.

08-15-2012, 01:53 PM	#3
8540tomg Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,461 Original Poster	Thanks rhe, It is surprising how close raptors will let you get in a car. I suspect they see it as no particular threat On foot - these shots just wouldn't be happening. Tom G

08-15-2012, 03:53 PM	#4
fotogaffer Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 716	Very nice shots of the Red-tailed hawk - I've never been able to get nearly that close - car blind or not! I especially like number 4 with the menacing stare. Well captured. Thanks for sharing.

08-15-2012, 03:56 PM	#5
eaglem Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 43,145	Good sharp detail and colour in these shots, well done Tom.

08-15-2012, 05:11 PM	#6
8540tomg Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,461 Original Poster	Originally posted by fotogaffer Very nice shots of the Red-tailed hawk - I've never been able to get nearly that close - car blind or not! I especially like number 4 with the menacing stare. Well captured. Thanks for sharing. Thanks photogaffer, I've been trying for years and only got close enough in the last two days. I liked number 4 as well. All raptors have death in their eyes don't they? Tom G

08-15-2012, 05:13 PM	#7
8540tomg Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,461 Original Poster	Originally posted by eaglem Good sharp detail and colour in these shots, well done Tom. Thanks eaglem, I think this is about as good as I can get things hand held with the 400mm. Got to find some way to set up a tripod in my car/blind. Tom G

08-16-2012, 04:36 AM	#8
slowpez Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: South Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 18,462	Your captures here are spot on. Great sharp detail. Beautiful bird. Congrats on a great series of images.

08-16-2012, 04:54 AM	#9
iwillau Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 76	Magnificent! One doesn't want to be at the receiving end of those claws though!

08-16-2012, 05:36 AM	#10
8540tomg Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,461 Original Poster	Originally posted by slowpez Your captures here are spot on. Great sharp detail. Beautiful bird. Congrats on a great series of images. Thanks Susan Most kind. Tom G

08-16-2012, 05:39 AM	#11
8540tomg Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,461 Original Poster	Originally posted by iwillau Magnificent! One doesn't want to be at the receiving end of those claws though! Thanks willau, They are nasty looking hooks. Tom G

08-16-2012, 05:51 AM	#12
Bob Harris Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Canon City, Colorado Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,477	that increased ss really did the job Tom, wonderful photos here to view.