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Red-tailed Hawk


Red-tailed Hawk
Photo Information
Copyright: Lise Villeneuve (lise) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 172 W: 51 N: 548] (2875)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-08
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 30 D, Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/80 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Hawks [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-09-20 12:56
Viewed: 1161
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Red-tailed hawks have a widespread distribution across both North and Central America, along with Mexico. They are also found in the Caribbean. The hawks that live farther north are darker and breed in Alaska and Canada in the summer, then fly south to winter in the northern to mid-western United States.

Red-tailed hawks rely on open fields and meadows with surrounding high perches (poles, fences, trees) for hunting. They prey on a wide range of small to medium-sized mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles. Carrion is also scavenged when available. In northern regions, they feed on mammals such as voles, lemmings, squirrels, hare and a wide range of bird species. They spot prey from the air or high perches by using their excellent vision, then dive at high speeds to capture their prey. They are also capable of hovering over the ground if needed.

The most common behavior seen in this species is soaring. The red-tailed hawk is able to soar using very little energy by catching a warm current of rising air, called a thermal. The use of these thermals allows the hawk to stay airborne using little energy to search fields for prey.

Courtship between males and females consists of dramatic flights in which the male dives straight down, then almost straight up. This happens repeatedly, followed by the pair locking talons and spinning toward the ground. Eggs are laid in Alaska in April or May. If the first clutch of eggs is lost, the female may lay a replacement clutch within a couple of weeks. There have even been observations of a third replacement clutch in some cases. By the time young are a month and a half old, they are leaving the nest for short periods.

Young usually fledge by the time they are two to three months old. Both the male and female participate in bringing food to the young.
Nests are large structures of branches and twigs built high up in trees or on cliffs, often with feathers or vegetation as lining. Their clutches range in size from one to five eggs, with young born helpless and covered with downy feathers. They gain size rapidly within one to two months, being the size of an adult with flight feathers by this time.
nglen, eqshannon, SelenE, undoredo, jstewart, marhowie, schnoopie has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2909 W: 34 N: 8636] (32186)
  • [2007-09-20 13:03]

Hi Lise. What a good close up shot. showing good detail in the feathers and eye.which is so clear. good natural colours. and a nice POv. well done TFS. good notes too.
Nick..

Now THAT is a Redtail Hawk. In case anyone wants to know what one really looks like...this is it. Super shot close in and clear. A wonderful picture worth framing!
Bob

Bonjour Lise,magnifique portrait,d'excellent détail et un magnifique reflet dans l'oeuil.C'est tout simplement beau!
Merci
Mich

Nice portrait, Lise.
Extraordinary bird.
Wll done
TFS
Annick

Bonjour Lise,
Voilà un superbe portrait de cet aigle, la précision des détails est impressionante et les couleurs magnifiques très beau travail
Amicalement
Jean-Michel

  • Great 
  • jesst Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 375 W: 0 N: 172] (2411)
  • [2007-09-21 1:26]

Nice portrait!
Wonderful sharp and detail

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2405 W: 63 N: 4227] (13822)
  • [2007-09-21 1:37]

Hi Lise,
Nice portrait of this hwak. Good colors and composition. TFS
Best wishes,
Selen

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1381 W: 126 N: 5246] (23469)
  • [2007-09-21 8:05]

Bonjour lise, quel beau portrait de ce rapace ! Image très nette, bien cadrée et exposition sans faille. Du bon travail,

Mario

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-09-21 12:48]

Hello Lise

Amazing POV and DOF.The plumage is excellent.The details and focus are sharp.The colours are well saturated.TFS


Rob

Hello Lise,
What an amazing close-up shot you've taken!!
Nice details and sharpness, superb portrait and POV, well done, Lise.
TFS and regards,
Kevin

Bonjour,
Very accomplished photo: great colours and sharp focus and an evil look on the face. These guys' proper name is Buteo Jamaicensis - named first in the island of Jamaica in the Caribbean. I grew up there and recall that they were much less common there than in Manitoba where I have seen many. Did you shoot this in the wild?
John

Hi Lise,
Excellent close up of this beautiful predator! great focus, exposure and POV. Thanks for sharing!

Wing

Quels beaux détails, ce gros plan est magnifique , une oeuvre de pro.
Bravo
Marie

Hello Lise,
Excellent detail, that eye is clear and sharp. I like the POV and downward gaze of the bird. A nicely composed profile portrait, with natural looking colors and good exposure also :)
Well done!
Howard

Hello Lise,

Super shot of this Hawk. The detail on the feathers and colours are superb and the reflection on the eye makes it a very special shot.

Kind regarrds,

Mike

Hi Lise,
great portrait.
I love the expression of the hawk.
Very nice composition and sharpness

TFS Tatjana

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