Red-tailed Hawk with its eye on preyRed-tailed Hawk with its eye on prey – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/2500, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 314mm, natural light, not baited

Today I have just a few images of a Red-tailed Hawk I spotted yesterday on a power pole in Utah County near the southern part of the Oquirrh Mountain Range. The Red-tailed Hawk was actively hunting using the power poles as lookout perches and a good many of my shots had the power lines in them unfortunately.

Red-tailed Hawk in Utah CountyRed-tailed Hawk in Utah County – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/1600, ISO 640, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 314mm, natural light, not baited

While observing and photographing the Red-tailed Hawk I saw it catch and eat several rodents but always on the top of the poles. There aren’t any natural perches in the area but I sure wish there were.

Red-tailed Hawk in a diveRed-tailed Hawk in a dive – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/1250, ISO 500, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 500mm, natural light, not baited

The Red-tailed Hawk would watch for prey in the grasses and then dive down from the power poles when it spotted something. It did miss a few times and would come up from the ground with empty talons.

It was nice to get out and actually have a bird of prey in my viewfinder for a change plus we ran into a good friend and had a great time catching up with each other over lunch.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Red-tailed Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.