Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Wild Birds: Red-tailed Hawk

Last Tuesday after visiting some of your blogs and bird posts Hubby and I had to make a quick trip out. More snow was forecast so we needed to get a few things just in case. The photo above is the road we travel on for about a mile to get out to the main road. See that guard rail to the left? I had snapped this picture and then I noticed movement at the end of the guard rail and told my husband to stop.
There he was. A hawk was trying his best to get down to a deer carcass under the snow. I took a few shots but they were through the windshield and I couldn't get a good focus on him. I told my husband to move up a little knowing that the hawk would probably fly.
He did; but not very far. He really didn't want to leave his lunch too far behind.
He hopped to another tree; but he still didn't fly far.  You should know I'm in the passenger seat and shooting across my husband and out the drivers side window. We are stopped in the middle of the street so Hubby is keeping an eye in the rear view window to watch for anyone coming up behind us.
I can tell from his stance that he's tired of us and ready to move on or at hoping we will so he can get back to lunch.
He did take off; but not before landing again to let me have one more shot.
This encounter is why I ALWAYS take my camera!
(My bird ID's aren't always on target so if this isn't a Red-tailed someone please let me know.)
Thanks Theresa!
(There is a reason she's the TexWisGirl) :)
Linking to Wild Birds with Stewart.

23 comments:

Nicki said...

Keen eye, beautiful snowscape, and wonderful shots. Good idea to always keep your camera on you.

TexWisGirl said...

no, i think you're spot on. :) glad he's got some meals at the ready.

Nancy said...

These are great shots and you are so right about always having your camera with you...You never know when the perfect opportunity is going to present itself....

Karen said...

Wow, these are fantastic images. It's so hard to get a proper focus through tree branches. You did an excellent job!

DeniseinVA said...

Well spotted Carletta, you must have great eyesight. Your pictures of the hawk are great.

Karen Lakis said...

Awesome find - and so nice of him to not want to leave his meal too far behind - made for some great poses!

Unknown said...

Wow, what a handsome bird!

Anonymous said...

The pictures are amazing and as good as I would get if I was in a bird blind! Thanks to you and to your patient husband I love the image of you leaning across him as he watches for cars in the mirror. Bill is really good about stopping for picture ops and doesn't even complain much about me screeching "Stop!" in his ear! But I'm not sure he'd be happy with this arrangement!

Red said...

You had to work really hard to get these shots. Nice going.

HansHB said...

Lovely serie of photos!
Nice to see!

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Absolutely stunning photos of the Red Tail Hawk - so clear and such definition on the feathers. I'd love to get a shot like that.

I know what you mean about parked in the middle of the street - Don is my lookout and keeps us safe while I am blissfully taking photos. Some of those photos should be framed and hung.

eileeninmd said...

Carletta, great sighting! My hubby is my look-out too. Cool shots of the Red-tailed. Have a great evening!

Rose said...

Oh, Carletta, these are great captures!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Great photos of the hawk, Carletta. You all have certainly had alot of snow.

I'm sad tonight. We have had to cancel our Valentine’s Trip to a little mountain town (Cashiers) in North Carolina. That horrible southern storm is going to give them from 6-10 inches of snow, plus sleet and power outages. We can’t even get into that area now… SAD–but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Hugs,
Betsy

Judi Gray said...

beautiful hawk and the background is stunning. Glad you stopped to take these lovely pictures.

Carole M. said...

you got great shots Carletta; fabulous

Gordon said...

That would have made my outing a very satisfactory one, gret shots even though Hubby got in the way ;-). What is the snow situation now, here in the UK we have floods.
All the best Gordon.

Ida said...

Awesome shots. These birds are so fascinating. Glad you stopped and interrupted his meal.

Wally Jones said...

Good eyes to spot the movement, great photographs of a gorgeous Red-tailed Hawk, superb instincts to anticipate the hawk's reactions and, most importantly, what a wonderful husband you must have!

Not sure what all that white stuff is in your photos - maybe try Photoshopping it out??

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Awesome shots Carletta- he really didn't want to leave that lunch behind!

Our photos said...

Happy Valentine´s day!

Grampy said...

Fine photos of this lovely bird.

kayerj said...

great shot--you must always be camera ready :)