Mated Red-tailed Hawk Pair

Light morph Red-tailed Hawk pair – Nikon D500, f11, 1/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

Last week I spotted and photographed a mated Red-tailed Hawk pair on the branches of a tree in front of a cliff in early morning light. The hawks most likely slept on the branches overnight in a location not too far from the nest that they are refurbishing for this breeding season. The male Red-tailed Hawk is at the top and the female is below him in the tree in this photo.

The male looks a bit darker from the dorsal aspect presented here and he is also smaller than the female.

Female Red-tailed Hawk perched in front of a cliff – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

The female Red-tailed Hawk preened in the morning light along with her mate. Both birds seemed to enjoy the warmth of the rising sun after a cool night.

I know I was enjoying the sun’s warmth myself. Even though I photograph birds all winter long the cold temps can make me feel very uncomfortable at times.

I don’t know what the female was looking at when I took this photo but she sure seemed to be watching something with intensity.

Male Red-tailed Hawk looking for nesting material – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

After a long preening session the male Red-tailed Hawk started searching for nesting material to add to their nest. This image was taken on his second foray to look for branches and vegetation for the nest. He lifted off and flew to another spot higher on the cliff.

Photographing this mated pair of Western Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis calurus) was the highlight of my morning.

Life is good.

Mia

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