Two days ago I spotted and pointed out a form in a Russian olive tree on my way into Farmington Bay WMA. It was before dawn, the light was low and at first I couldn’t tell if the bird I saw was an owl or a hawk but as soon as I got close enough I could tell that it was a hawk.
Immature Harlan’s Red-tailed Hawk with pronounced polka dot spots – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/80, ISO 1600, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
It wasn’t until I saw the raptor through my viewfinder that I could tell that it was an immature Red-tailed Hawk that was sporting bright white spots on its back and that is when I said “wow” out loud.
I struggled to get sharp photos of it because the light was so low even after I increased my ISO to 1600 because my shutter speed was still so slow. Even the slightest movement at 1/80th of second means a blurry shot. This was the best shot of the images I took and it isn’t great.
This immature Harlan’s Red-tailed Hawk is striking with those white polka dot spots on its back, I don’t think I have ever seen a young Red-tail where the white spots on the scapulars are so pronounced.
I really, really hope this gorgeous, young Red-tailed Hawk sticks around Farmington Bay WMA so that I might have more opportunities to photograph it in better light. There are clouds here today with some rain & snow falling in the area so there isn’t great light this morning but I am going to look for this hawk again as soon as I can.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Red-tailed Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.
My thanks to Jerry Liguori for confirming this is a Harlan’s.
What do you mean it isn’t great?! It is absolutely beautiful, Mia.
He’s a beauty, Mia!!!!!!
Handsome, handsome youngster! Hope you get to spend more time with this stunner!
Great capture! Beautiful bird!
Are the white spots common in immature Red tails or is this a partial leucistic marking?
Margot, immature Red-tailed Hawks nearly always have white markings on their scapulars but not usually so spot shaped. See this image for a more typical appearance of the white on the scapulars:
I agree with Kim….absolutely gorgeous image!
Beautiful shot! Is this fellow a dark phase Red-tail? Or does he/she just appear to me that way?
Dick, one of my friends photographed this young Red-tailed later in the morning and I could see the chest of the bird in his photos, the chest was dark, so I’d say yes, this is a dark phase.
Absolutely gorgeous image!