Return Visit to the Red-tailed Hawk Nest

I returned to the Red-tailed Hawk nest about a week and a half ago, a few days after my original thread which showed the chick in the nest.


After waiting a while and looking at an empty nest, I was packing up my gear to leave and looked back. The chick had re-appeared. I don't know if it hopped in from a nearby branch or flew in. It was impossible to see anything much beyond the nest in any direction. Obviously I set my gear up again and began to take some images. I'm glad I did as subsequent visits produced an empty nest. After a short while, the adult showed up and I was able to grab a few images.


1D MkIV, 300 f/2.8L IS + 2xTC III


1. I am including this image to show the very small window through the trees that I had to photograph this nest, from the only available vantage point. This is a full frame 600mm shot that has only been re-sized for display.

Very neat set, Harv, that's something I have never seen, a hawk's nest. You did good to even see it, let alone get such clear shots through all the branches. Mom is, as Moms will be, very watchful

Difficult conditions with that very small window you had there but as Ian says, it's already an accomplishment to have seen it in the first place, let alone photograph it. And you did well here, Harvey. The shots of mum are very good, as is the last one of the chick. For me it's wonderful to see a Hawk's nest and I enjoyed these very much.

Great results there Harv, especially looking at how hard it clearly was to get a line of sight on the nest, very nice to see.

Wonderful set Harv. I'm certainly enjoying your postings from the nest. Never having seen the young before they are intriguing to see. They do look quite different about the head and beak in comparison to the adults. You can tell for sure however, that they develop that eye "look" early on. Thanks for sharing these.

Excellent set Harvey, thanks for sharing these!

Well done Harvey, Mamma does not look so happy in the first three, great shots my friend! That sure is a small window.

Wallace River wrote in post #14739229
Very neat set, Harv, that's something I have never seen, a hawk's nest. You did good to even see it, let alone get such clear shots through all the branches. Mom is, as Moms will be, very watchful

Thanks a lot, Ian. Yes she is.

Levina de Ruijter wrote in post #14739274
Difficult conditions with that very small window you had there but as Ian says, it's already an accomplishment to have seen it in the first place, let alone photograph it. And you did well here, Harvey. The shots of mum are very good, as is the last one of the chick. For me it's wonderful to see a Hawk's nest and I enjoyed these very much.

Thanks a lot, Levina. I was lucky as the property owner saw me out on the road and recognized me. I was photographing ospreys at the time. He asked if I was interested in the hawk nest and took me to it, giving me permission to stop there any time. This same guy, lead me to a bear a few years ago that I got some great shots of.

2slo wrote in post #14740372
Great results there Harv, especially looking at how hard it clearly was to get a line of sight on the nest, very nice to see.

Thanks a lot.

Diamond Lil wrote in post #14740496
Wonderful set Harv. I'm certainly enjoying your postings from the nest. Never having seen the young before they are intriguing to see. They do look quite different about the head and beak in comparison to the adults. You can tell for sure however, that they develop that eye "look" early on. Thanks for sharing these.

Thanks a lot for looking in, Lil. I have been back again and the nest is now empty.

jodelak wrote in post #14740568
Excellent set Harvey, thanks for sharing these!

Thanks a lot.

BGgraphy wrote in post #14741191
Well done Harvey, Mamma does not look so happy in the first three, great shots my friend! That sure is a small window.

Thanks a lot, Bret. Without being led to it, I would have never even seen it.

I have to say Hawks still in the nest look so goofy but sure do turn into something beautiful in the end. Excellent shooting through the mess.

wow... great series!!

Very cool and well shot. Mom sure has your number.

Very cool.

Duane N wrote in post #14748056
I have to say Hawks still in the nest look so goofy but sure do turn into something beautiful in the end. Excellent shooting through the mess.

photocopy wrote in post #14749847
wow... great series!!

kristin6 wrote in post #14750405
Very cool and well shot. Mom sure has your number.

Crimzon wrote in post #14750590
Very cool.

Thanks a lot, gang. Much appreciated.

Terrific set Harv. I'm not sure mum was happy with your presence though, it looks like she is giving you "that" look in the first and second shots.

L.J.G. wrote in post #14774136
Terrific set Harv. I'm not sure mum was happy with your presence though, it looks like she is giving you "that" look in the first and second shots.

She was certainly keeping her eye on me all the time I was there. Thanks. Lloyd.