Idaho sub-adult Red-tailed Hawk lifting off – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/1600, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
A year ago today I was photographing lots of Red-tailed Hawks in Clark County, Idaho and using my Nikon D500 in the field for the first time. I’d gotten it a few days before then but because of the trip to Idaho and Montana all I had done was take test shots as I set the camera up.
I looked at the weather radar this morning and I am glad I am not up in Clark County today because I see rain and snow in the area where I photographed this sub-adult Red-tailed Hawk lifting off from a metal fence post in the evening light. I like the look I got from the hawk, how its talons are just past the metal pole and its raised wings.
It was warm and sunny that evening, it won’t be like that this evening up there.
Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk letting loose on a telegraph pole – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/800, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
I also photographed several juvenile Red-tailed Hawks on telegraph poles next to the railroad tracks that evening in warm light. Tonight any of the hawks that might be there will deal with falling snow according to the forecast. But Red-tailed Hawks are tough birds, they handle all kinds of inclement weather.
I was so impressed with the D500 that day and I still am. I love the burst rate, the fact that when using the XQD memory card I never worry about filling the buffer, I love how it handles higher ISO’s and how quickly it snaps into focus. The Nikon D500 continues to impress me and I am glad that I have it for my bird and wildlife photography.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Red-tailed Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.
You know you’ve got me with a redtail…even one who’s slicing (shedding ballast). And this one is a beauty! I’m really a fool for the darker redtails. Oh, who am I trying to kid? Ain’t working. I’m a fool for redtails (and all other raptors, birds and critters).
I think the telegraph poles and insulators are largely gone in the east. But in the west, there are vast areas where it just doesn’t matter whether they’re there or not so they’re left alone.
First shot is gorgeous, second is kind of shitty…
That made me laugh out loud 🙂
Me, too!! 🙂
Love the photos. Telegraph insulators…..you don’t see those still on poles much any more.
Thanks Liz.
Out here I do see old telegraph poles and insulators quite often whereas back east I sure didn’t.