Yep, two adult redtails. The bird perched in the cliffs is not a dark morph and also has a very light chin. Since you saw two adults in the same area, they're likely a mated pair (redtails are highly territorial). Based on its compact look, the bird perched in the tree is probably the male (males being about 25% smaller than females). He just had a large meal (full crop), which may explain why he let you get fairly close.
I've been observing red-tailed hawks almost every day for a while now, so recognizing differences between individuals is pretty much automatic.
Christian thanks for the lesson!
There were others in the canyon. I shot one that looks like the RTHs we have here in TN. I'll get it posted up one day...just a crap grey sky behind him if I recall.
Many go to Bosque for Sandhills or Snow Geese. I was excited to go because I'd never imaged a NoH (Northern Harrier). E-bird had reported 4-6 of them in the immediate Bosque del Apache area...so I had hope!
I didn't expect to see a NoH dining on a Snow Goose though...doubtful the NoH took the goose, probably an eagle did the initial hit.
The dining NoH was approx 50 yards away and a big water filled canal preventing me from getting any further.
Here's a juvenile BE from Bosque a couple of weeks ago.
Using the 1.4TCiii for 700mm.
Now having gone through all the pics taken on the trip with the 500PF I can see the vast majority
was using the 1.4TC. Truthfully without the TC I wouldn't have gotten many shots.
Here's one more with the same D500+1.4TCiii+500PF combo.
I wanted to add that the distance was between 50 and 70 yards.
I wasn't expecting much due to distance/thermals/atmospherics, etc. but
I'm pleased with this shot knowing I stood there holding 700mm for 30 min's hoping and
it was bone cold to the point my fingers were screaming.
)
