If I hadn’t found and pointed out this stunning rufous Red-tailed Hawk yesterday morning I would have basically come home without a single decent image of a bird. Thankfully, not only was this a gorgeous bird, it was cooperative too. The sky was mostly clear, the sun was shining and it felt like a spring morning.

Back view of a Red-tailed Hawk perched on a lichen covered rock, Box Elder County, UtahBack view of a Red-tailed Hawk perched on a lichen covered rock – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/2000, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

I first saw the Red-tailed Hawk over my shoulder perched on some lichen covered rocks, I suspect that due to the early hour this is where the hawk spent the night.

I thought this back view of the hawk was an interesting photo because generally the wing tips of Red-tailed Hawks do not reach past the end of their tail feathers but this bird’s wing tips do. Perhaps this Red-tailed Hawk had its wings dropped a bit which would cause the primary feathers to look longer, I am not sure.  This photo doesn’t show the gorgeous rufous coloring of the hawk’s chest…

Red-tailed Hawk landing on a lichen covered rock face, Box Elder County, UtahRed-tailed Hawk landing on a lichen covered rock face – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/1250, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

But this photo does! The Red-tailed Hawk had been looking around while at its original perch but that perch was only a bit more than halfway up the cliff face so it made a short flight to get to a higher perch and I was able to photograph it as it landed.

Red-tailed Hawk surveying its world, Box Elder County, UtahRed-tailed Hawk surveying its world from a rocky perch – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/1600, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

From this perch the hawk had a grand view of its surroundings and could see prey in the distance better too.

I wish I had been able to see the hawk’s tail in this photo too but sometimes that just doesn’t happen.

The Red-tailed perched on this rocky out cropping for several minutes not doing much at all but looking around.

Red-tailed Hawk lifting off from lichen covered rocks, Box Elder County, UtahRed-tailed Hawk lifting off from lichen covered rocks – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/1600, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

After a bit the Red-tailed Hawk squatted and pushed off from the lichen covered rocks and started to head towards the south. I love this lift off pose because the wings are extended, I can see the tail, the hawk’s legs and talons are still visible and I have great eye contact with the bird.

Red-tailed Hawk gaining altitude after lift off, Box Elder County, UtahRed-tailed Hawk gaining altitude after lift off – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/1600, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

By the time I took this photo the Red-tailed Hawk was beginning to draw its legs closer to its body and although I do have some blur in the wings I like it because it implies motion.

The Red-tailed Hawk only flew a little bit to the south and perched on an even higher cliff face, I photographed it later on that same perch but really didn’t like the steep angle I had in those images.

I’d love to find this Red-tailed Hawk and photograph it again but that won’t happen this morning because as I am writing there is snow falling and I don’t want to be on the road with the crazies today. Perhaps this will be our last snow fall of the year, I do know that spring is on its way.

Life is good.

Mia

To view more of my Red-tailed Hawk photos plus information about this species click here.