![]() First two images, ISO 250, third image, ISO 200. Images made with a Canon 5Div, 400mm f4 DO II lens+1.4x telextender, M setting (auto ISO), f5.6 1/1600. That was simply a case of the sun and clouds doing their thing. I very much prefer this third image to the first two, but I won’t claim credit for the improved lighting. As I photographed it, the edge of one cloud moved behind the hawk, changing the mood of the setting significantly. There were a few clouds in the sky when I was photographing this bird. poles in search of prey, until they take off on the hunt. I’m displaying this third image because it not only is a nice view of this hawk but because it shows what a difference a slight change in lighting may make. Red-tailed hawks are the most common hawk species in North America. It isn’t the least bit unusual this time of year for me to encounter 20 or more of these hawks during a three- or four-hour drive in open country. They are distinguished from Red-shouldered and Swainsons hawks by their. Seasonal migrants from points north join our local Red Tails every fall and winter. Young birds are duller, more streaked and lack rust-colored tail of the adult. All Red Tails display a dark stripe on the leading edges of their wings’ undersides. Red Tails are easy to distinguish from other birds of prey when they show the undersides of their wings. Plumage may be different in other parts of the country, but in most areas adult Red Tails sport brick red tails. ![]() In our part of the country Red Tails generally have pale breasts and frequently display a band of darker feathers on their abdomens. You can frequently spot these birds on drives through open country, perching on utility poles or atop other tall structures, both man-made and natural. Red-tailed hawks are the most common raptors in North America and they are among the easiest to observe and to photograph. It’s also the case with this bird that I photographed it on its home turf: I’ve observed it many times on the same row of pecan trees and it’s obviously comfortable perching there. Flying is work for these birds and they’d often rather bask in the sun than fly. These big hawks can be fairly lazy on chilly winter mornings. The hawk clearly knew that I was observing and photographing it from a few yards away, but seemed not to care. This bird was atop a pecan tree in farmlands northwest of Tucson. I encountered a second hawk, a couple of weeks later, at a different location, also perching in the upper branches of a tree. Red-tailed hawks grow to about 18 to 25 inches in length. Its rust-colored tail, broad and short, distinguishes it from the smaller red-shouldered hawk. The adult’s breast appears white with a brown belly band that looks like a wide belt. I recently posted a couple of images of a Red-tailed Hawk perching on a mesquite tree on a sunny winter morning. The red-tailed hawk makes a striking appearance with its large, stocky body and mottled brown feathers. You may enlarge any image in this blog by clicking on it.
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