Red-tailed Hawk flying over Baker’s Field at Sequoyah NWR

Three days ago, I wrote about the hawks at Baker’s Field in Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge. Today, I’m sharing photos of a Red-tailed Hawk flying there.

I took these images two days ago at the refuge on a bright, clear morning from a dirt road at the edge of Baker’s Field.

Adult Red-tailed Hawk lifting off from a tree at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge – Canon R7, handheld, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640, +1.0 EV, Canon EF 100-400mm II at 400mm, natural light

I’m sharing the photo above simply to show the red tail of this adult Red-tailed Hawk. The eyes of this hawk aren’t as dark as those of a typical adult Red-tailed Hawk, but they are still within normal limits.

While adult Red-tailed Hawks typically have dark brown eyes, the transition from amber/yellow to brown is not a straightforward process. Some adults, particularly those only a year or two old, may still have pale yellowish eyes even after developing their distinctive red tail.

I won’t be placing this photo in my Red-tailed Hawk gallery—there are just too many branches in the frame, and it doesn’t quite meet my standards.

Adult Red-tailed Hawk flying over Baker’s Field at Sequoyah NWR – Canon R7, handheld, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640, +1.0 EV, Canon EF 100-400mm II at 400mm, natural light

But this image of the same Red-tailed Hawk does meet my standards. I loved the light, the bird’s wing position, the great view of the hawk’s eye, and the soft blue sky.

Because of the direction this hawk flew, I was able to take a nice series of her or him in flight over Baker’s Field. Hopefully, I will be able to take more raptor images at Baker’s Field the next time I head to the refuge. Fingers crossed!

Life is good.

Mia

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