Red Shouldered Hawk

[NonEntity1]

This was the most cooperative raptor I have ever seen. I had to cross underneath him to get the light behind me and he (or she) did not seem to mind. He hung out for quite awhile before finally taking off for parts unknown. These were taken with the K20d and Tokina 100-300mm f/4 MF lens.

Tim



Who you lookin' at punk?



You are cleared for take off:

[mtngal]

Oooh - very nice, Tim! These are wonderful, the last one especially.

[penolta]

Nice shots, Tim. but . . . Oops! Are you sure it's not a Coop's? (Cooper's, that is):roll:

[NonEntity1]

penolta wrote:

Nice shots, Tim. but . . . Oops! Are you sure it's not a Coop's? (Cooper's, that is)

Nope, at least now I am not sure :-)! Looking at photos of both of them online it does look like a Coopers Hawk. Apparently a juvenile one as I read that the eyes turn from yellow to orange then red as the hawks age. Now I need to go back and check my other photos I thought were red tailed hawks and see if they are all Coopers Hawks! Hmmm, it also says that they eat Blue Jays, this may explain why I did not find any Scrub Jays on that hike.

Tim

[nhmom]

Very nice shots, Tim. Amazing.

Patty

[Rodney9]

Fantastic avian shot, terrific detail, sharp and lovely natural composition. Don't you love it when they pose for you.

[Trojansoc]

A really great series of shots, Tim. I've been looking at the illustrations in my Sibley, and I think it looks just like the Juvenile Red-Shouldered, Florida variation.

Paul

[robar]

there should be a law tim(hehe).. i have a red shoulder visit every now and then. he doesn't like me tho.. one way to id it is it's shear size.. at 18'' it is bigger than others.

roy

[NonEntity1]

Thanks again for the kind words, whether he is a Coopers Hawk or a Red Shouldered. I did finally break down and now have field guides for birds, insects, and butterflies on the way. I learned there are about 90,000 species of insect in North America. I only have to photography another 89, 884 or so to collect the whole set! As I remember, the K20 has a 100,000 activation shutter, so that should work out about perfect :-).

Tim

[penolta]

I only have to photograph another 89, 884 or so

Field guides are a good investment- you'll be glad you got them. :idea:


Everybody needs a mission in life. but don't wait for retirement to start on this one! :lol:

And trust me -- it's a Coopers. :roll: