Cooper’s Hawk perched on a lichen covered boulder – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
I spent the morning in Box Elder County in northern Utah looking for birds to photograph, I was hoping to find a first of the year Swainson’s Hawk or Turkey Vulture or perhaps even find the Golden Eagle pair I found earlier this month. I didn’t see them but I did see Red-tailed Hawks, a few Rough-legged Hawks, one juvenile Bald Eagle, Prairie Falcons, American Kestrels and one Cooper’s Hawk.
Cooper’s Hawks are forest and woodland birds that have adapted well to urban and suburban areas and they are also found in desert areas of the southwest. The road I was on has smatterings of small trees next to it that attract smaller songbirds and the Cooper’s Hawk diet consists of those small birds.
Cooper’s Hawk stretching – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
When I first saw this Cooper’s Hawk it had taken flight from the east side of the road and landed in a tree that was snugged up close to a cliff face but was hidden from view, when the hawk took off from the tree it landed on a lichen covered boulder that was on a rocky outcrop on the west side of the road in beautiful light. I was able to take several images of the Cooper’s as it perched and stretched on the boulder.
Cooper’s Hawk in flight in northern Utah – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
The Cooper’s Hawk took flight without much warning at all and for a second I lost it while tracking the hawk but regained focus as it flew south past me. The background in this frame shows lichen covered rocks and some sagebrush.
Cooper’s Hawk fly by – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
The hawk continued flying south after the image above was taken and although I couldn’t relocate it I was happy to have been able to get these images of it in flight. It was a beautiful morning.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Cooper’s Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.
Outstanding images of this coopers hawk. I am always impressed with your flight shots. I have a nikon d 500 and struggle with flight shots that are clear and sharp like yours. Do you use matrix metering and the 25 point focus sensor? Any tips you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Rick Remington
Incredible images of Cooper’s hawk – well done Mia!
It’s in the eyes. It’s always in the eyes….incredible shots Mia. Thanks.
How inconsiderate of it to launch without notifying you.
Well captured though – and what a glorious sight.
The fact that you got those great flight shots after it “took flight without much warning” is a testament of your uncommon skill – kudos to you!
Beautiful shots Mia…beautiful subject. Great sequence!
Boy! Mia! You sure caught some good ones!!! That guy looks very well fed…bad news for the liile birds!!! Wonderful detail…especially like the last two…and the lichen covered rocks…
Fantastic in-flight photos!
Beautiful images miA.
Wonderful shots especially in flight! It was a good morning for you.
Great in-inflight images! Those are really hard to get with this species. Where we live is the Cooper’s Hawk capitol of the entire known universe but I’m forever missing the jump shots and in-flight images with these birds.