Trey Neal wrote:
Wonderfully captured. Well done on the sharp images of what must have been some fast action.
4 seconds...it was actually a blur. If the other photographer didn't point out where the Squirrel was I would have never known which way to point the camera. He missed the shots by the way...he said he was in awe of what was happening in front of us and he didn't even think to pull the trigger.
Very depressing. Not that nature takes it course but because I can't even get a clear, up close shot of a hawk at rest much less chasing prey ... And, you have 10 sharp shots!
All great captures. Way to be patient and wait it out!
I'm envious.
If you knew how close this hawk lets you get you would get sick. It let me and another photographer walk by it one morning as it sat in a tree 8' above the ground. We were about 6' from it and didn't even see it until I turned around and saw it sitting there.
Karl Witt wrote:
A fantastic sequence Duane and one that not many would capture so well technically. I'm amazed!
Curious, where did the flies come from so fast?? Was there something else rotting on the ground there or other remains/
Great work sir!
Karl
That shot with the flies was when the hawk returned to reclaim the Squirrel. One of the resident eagles flew in and landed in a near-by tree and the hawk chased it off. The eagle moved further down the tree line and the hawk chased it off again. After the eagle left the hawk had to deal with a few Crows. It was gone for about 10 minutes then returned and that's where that image came from. The hawk was on the ground for about 45 minutes eating and eventually moved to a tree to store the leftovers.
Great job on that fantastic sequence...certainly not the typical one you get to see...makes you realize it's not always just a quick swoop from the air.
A spectacular set Duane. Each and every shot is great, and I'd be happy with any one of them. This set shows the rewards of putting in the necessary time and effort. Kudos to you - not many would be willing to put this much effort into a "common" Redtail ~ Ron
BTW - I'm less than two hours away - I'm just sayin'...
An absolutely "killer" set, Duane... sorry, couldn't resist
Seriously, that entire sequence is just exceptional. Like you, the red-tail is one of my favorite raptors, but unlike you, I've never had an opportunity to photograph a sequence like this!
Thanks everyone. Wildlife photography has taught me a lot of patience and to slow down. This hawk is cooperative and it hangs out in three areas of the botanical garden (most raptors are creatures of habit) and we usually find it every time we go out there.
surfnron wrote:
A spectacular set Duane. Each and every shot is great, and I'd be happy with any one of them. This set shows the rewards of putting in the necessary time and effort. Kudos to you - not many would be willing to put this much effort into a "common" Redtail ~ Ron
BTW - I'm less than two hours away - I'm just sayin'...
As I tell everyone that asks about this hawk...it's no guarantee it will be there on any given day but I think for the last 6 months I haven't found it in about 10 trips to the garden. I've followed it so much I'm documenting each red tail feather that comes in and watching the eye color slowly change from yellow to brown....that's how frequent I've come across it. If you're ever down this way...it's worth a stop into the gardens. Heck, you may even see an eagle despite what the USDA-WS is doing to them.
