Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk perched in a tree – Nikon D200, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 320, Nikkor 200-400mm VR w/1.4 TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited or set up
Yesterday I headed west of Salt Lake City to see what birds could be found to photograph because the day before when it was gorgeous weather and great light I was stuck indoors all day long. The temperature reached 52 degrees and it felt like spring is about to arrive.
During the winter many of the raptors in the Wasatch Range that prefer higher country come down into the Salt Lake Valley and in the spring they begin to return to higher elevations. Yesterday I saw a Red-tailed Hawk up higher in the Stansbury Mountains than I have seen all winter so I thought I’d post these two young hawks.
Red-tailed Hawks are North America’s most variable hawk and can show great geographic variation. They can be spotted in every state of the continental U.S. perching on power poles, fence posts or at the top of trees.
Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk perched on an old, weathered fence post – Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/1250, ISO 400, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited or set up
When I think of the calls of raptors the Red-tailed Hawks call is the one I think of first, it is distinctive and I can identify the sound without seeing the hawk.
I’m looking forward to seeing Red-tailed Hawks in the high country of Utah and Montana this summer and hopefully getting some more images of both the juveniles and adult.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Red-tailed Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.
Great photos! Just this week I heard a European Starling imitating the cry of a Red-tailed Hawk. It was amazing. It’s funny how on movies they play the sound of a Red-tailed Hawk for every bird of prey.
Again, great captures. I like the poses. You have such a talent for capturing a birds essence.