Immature Red-tailed Hawk at East Canyon State Park

Immature Red-tailed Hawk crouching prior to lift off – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/3200, ISO 640, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light, not baited

I spent a little time in the Wasatch Mountains yesterday morning looking for birds and I did find a few of them. I was able to photograph two immature Red-tailed Hawks at East Canyon State Park and the photos I am sharing today are of the first one that I found.

The immature Red-tailed Hawk was using fence posts along the road to perch on to scan the area for prey. At first it was lit up nicely then a cloud came in an darkened the scene then just before it lifted off from the fence post the sun broke through the clouds again. I liked how the young hawk crouched down before it lifted off.

Immature Red-tailed Hawk in flight at East Canyon State Park – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/3200, ISO 640, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light, not baited

When the immature red tail raised its wings to lift off I clipped the tips of its wings but in the next few frames when it flattened its wings on a down stroke I was able to get this flight pose that I liked and I also appreciated the intense look of the young hawk’s eyes.

Immature Red-tailed Hawk flying towards prey – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light, not baited

Then for a few frames I either had fence posts or fence rails in front of the immature Red-tailed Hawk as it flew towards the prey it had spotted until this frame that showed the entire hawk with its eye on whatever it had spotted. This image is full frame and I’m so glad I didn’t clip the feet and talons when I took this photo.

The other immature Red-tailed Hawk was on a hillside not too far from where this one was photographed as a crow flies, I may post those photos on another day.

Life is good.

Mia

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