Red-tailed Hawk adult lifting off from a juniper
Red-tailed Hawk nesting season has started in northern Utah and I found a few pairs yesterday morning that have already gotten busy with nest building. My observation skills paid off when I found several Red-tailed Hawks in desert habitat and on or near cliffs.
After more than a week without being in the field it felt marvelous to be out again, to be successful at finding birds to photograph, and to relax with nature all around me. I needed to be there. I was starting to get cabin fever.
The air was clear, the temps were comfortable, and even though there were some clouds in the sky I basically had pretty good light while I photographed and observed the Red-tailed Hawks.
At least four of the birds of prey had paired up. One of the mated pairs were busy with nest construction and the other pair I found perched side by side not far from their newly refurbished nest.
Click the first image below to start a slide show or use your mouse to scroll through the photos.
Having all of these Red-tailed Hawks in my viewfinder was a joy. I hope that they have a successful nesting season and that in a few months that I will be able to photograph their young.
As a side note for those who are interested, I did see one long distance view of a Turkey Vulture yesterday and I was excited about seeing it in flight. I have been waiting for them to show up.
Adult Red-tailed Hawk in flight on a March morning
I looked and looked for the beautiful, rufous female Red-tailed Hawk that I have photographed nesting and rearing her young in previous years but came up empty. I hope that she has only moved on and found a new nesting area.
Spring has arrived for the Red-tailed Hawks here in northern Utah. It also feels like spring to me!
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Red-tailed Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.
Note:
Please don’t ask me where these nests are. I don’t divulge nest locations, especially owl or raptor nests, unless they are well known. I don’t announce a nest locations publicly anyway because unfortunately there are unethical people who might harass these hawks by approaching too close, by staying too long, or by being at the nest too often. The hawks could abandon the nest before they lay eggs or abandon the eggs after they are laid.
Thanks Mia for the terrific series. It is good to share you love for all the birds you photograph with great skill.
I am happy for you to be able to get out and for us to see what you find!
Top to bottom…absolutely fabulous pics of my favorite bird! I love the movement and eye contact of the first and last shots. You can just feel the power. Thanks Mia.
🤞❤️👏
Glorious, glorious Red Tails! Thank you for your ethics in both not divulging nest locations and not disturbing nesting birds. I know those nest shots are taken from quite a distance. I wish more people had your sensibilities.
Wonderful. Thank you for sharing the beauty and the joy.
Great photos indeed. The first photo is awesome. I don’t blame you for not divulging nesting locations. I agree, too many unethical people around.
Great photos, great feather detail. I can almost smell the fresh clean air. You’ll be able to visit them all through the season to see the young develop.