Last Sunday afternoon Mr. Johnson was outside washing the car when he happened to look up and notice a big bird on the TV antenna. Because he's the well-trained spouse of a birder, he immediately came to the back door and told me to get my camera because there was a hawk on the TV antenna! I went out the garage and took this picture of the hawk back-side. Do you know what it is?
I knew I could get a better view of this huge hawk from the deck on the other side of the house, so I went back inside and crept slowly out onto the deck. Fortunately, this hawk didn't notice my arrival.....
The TV antenna tower is about 40 feet high, so it's an excellent observation tower if you're a hawk!
This hawk seemd to be relaxing and just enjoying the view. If you notice on most of these pictures, its right foot isn't even clutching the antenna pole!
I noticed there weren't any squirrels hanging around the backyard bird feeders while this hawk was up there, but all the other little songbirds in the backyard were extremely vocal in their alarm calls.
Then the hawk gave itself a mighty, all-over shake -- feathers floating away on the afternoon breeze.....
Then a moment to settle the feathers and get everything back in correct position again......
And in an instant the hawk was airborne again!
I love the continuous shooting feature on my camera for photo opportunities like this and I was thrilled to be able to capture the majesty of this beautiful juvenile Red-Tailed Hawk in flight.
In the woods about a quarter-mile from our house, there is a mated pair of Red-Tailed Hawks that nested successfully again this year. We see them frequently during the year and this juvenile has been hanging around for several weeks now. I often hear its pitiful calls and I've seen the parents nearby, so I know it's not been abandoned yet. Plus there's an abundance of small mammals and rodents in my backyard habitat to support a family of raptors. I hope I get the chance to see this youngster up close again this summer.
6 comments:
Nice shots of this young visitor.
Agree with Gaelyn. And I need to go to the local camera store and see if they carry the kind of camera you have. I haven't had a good camera for too many years now.
That's a neat series of photos, Ruthie!
Great photos. He's magnificent.
How great that you got to observe and photograph this youngster Ruthie. I love the Red-tails and see them very often around here too. :c)
Thanks Gaelyn.
Thanks Mollie. My camera is a Canon EOS Rebel XS. It was a Christmas present from Mr. Johnson a couple years ago. We got it at BestBuy during one of their pre-Christmas super sales. It came with the 300 mm lens & a regular lens. If you can wait until Christmas sales, you might be able to find yourself a really good deal...
Thank you Lynne.
Thanks Martie. I saw a Harris's Hawk at the State Fair last week -- do you ever see them in New Mexico or Southern California?
Thanks Jayne. I felt pretty privileged that I got all these great photos too.
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