Can I get a hawk ID please?

[guitarman3]

I was out yesterday and this guy looked a lot sleeker than most of the hawks I'd seen lately. So I thought I may have a new (for me) species here. But upon closer review on the monitor, I'd say it looks like a red-tail. His feathers just aren't so bushy on his chest as many of the others I've photographed.

Can I get a confirmation on the species? Thank you for looking!

[LazyPhotographer]

Red-tail Hawk... nice pic.

[ZipDude66]

I'm not so good at hawk Id but it looks like a RT to me also. It doesn't seem to mind you being close, wish I could find one like that. Good shot!

Zip
Wild66.com

[Dale Siscoe]

Definate Red Tail , nice shot too.

[canonloader]

Yup, a red tail, and a nice one too. :)

[hTr]

Great shot of a Red tail Hawk

[guitarman3]

Thanks Lazy, Zip, Dale and Mitch for your nice words and your ID's.

Zip, I guess close is relative! :) This fellow was about 50 to 60 feet up in a tree. Plenty close to get a good shot of this large bird.

But, I made a terrible error when I was shooting this one. I hate to admit it but I mistakenly assumed my bigma was set at full length and took my shots at the focal length it was set at. When I got to my next bird (a smaller kestrel), I realized my mistake--I hadn't used nearly all the reach I had on this hawk. I probably could have filled the frame with his upper body if I hadn't been so dumb. My exif says the focal length on this shot was 266. Dumb mistake but I'll guarantee you I won't make it again.

Maybe I'll just chalk it up to being so excited about getting a nice blue background. We haven't had much of that in the PNW this year.

[guitarman3]

Thank you hTr!