3 Red Tailed Hawks. Missed opportunity.

[Duane N]

This is all I could manage with 3 Red Tailed Hawk's fighting over a meal. I was doing some yardwork and heard a common sound which was Blue Jays calling, squirrels chirping and the screach from a Red Tailed Hawk. So I grabbed my camera gear and off into the woods I went through my neighbors yard. What I saw was one RT Hawk on top of a mature Pine tree and two others trying to dislodge the squirrel from it's grips. I have never seen anything like it. Facing the sun and having only a 70-200mm lens I just sat there and watched the spectacle. Grabbed a few shots when they dispursed...heavy crop obviously but I know theres hope in the future to get a decent pic of one of these magnificent birds of prey.

http://www.atvnc.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12072/normal_Red_Tailed_Hawk_1%7E1.jpg

http://www.atvnc.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12072/normal_Red_Tailed_Hawk_2.jpg


Anybody tried to lure a Hawk for some photo opps? I was thinking of talking to one of the local farmers and see if I could lure one into his field behind my house but don't want to use a live animal. Suggestions....I'm working with minimal gear here. :lol:

[Stormin_24]

Those are good shots... Around here, there usually too high for what I currently have for a camera... Hopefully that will come to a change fairly soon... Nicely done I'd say...

[Duane N]

Thanks...I particulary don't like wasting my time with shooting something against a bright sky plus with my limited reach but I decided what the heck and fired away on one of the birds that came my direction. I'm hoping to change the reach part here shortly. :D

[bromm]

Missed oportunity? You got a shot at least, I seen 6 red-tails, 2 rough legged, 1 merlin 2 bald eagles and a Goshawk at 60 feet and I never managed a shot:(, The goshawk I'm really kicking my behind about as I couldnt see what it was and never got the camera ready before I got in the open:evil:.