Red-tailed Hawk with the new 100-400 v.2

Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all.

It has been some time since I have been on this forum but at times life gets in the way of other plans one has made. I have had some difficulties hiking around the last couple of years and sold my 300/2.8 and 500/4 to unload the weight. This has significantly reduced my bird photography over that time.

However, I had pre-ordered the newly announced 100-400 v.2 and took delivery a week ago. That said, I just had to get out and give it some field testing.

My buddy and I located a Red-tailed Hawk we are familiar with and we pressed him/her into service as our test bird. In addition to providing some perched opportunities, we witnessed this great bird successfully acquire a lunch of Eastern Grey Squirrel. How fortuitous is that? It provided for an opportunity to photograph it with it's prey on the ground. Life just does not get any better. For us, not the squirrel.

1. Perched

IMAGE LINK: http://harveyg.smugmug​.com …12-22_0006_P.jpg&lb=1&s=A

IMAGE LINK: http://harveyg.smugmug​.com …2-22_0011_P2.jpg&lb=1&s=​A

IMAGE LINK: http://harveyg.smugmug​.com …2-22_0012_P2.jpg&lb=1&s=​A

IMAGE LINK: http://harveyg.smugmug​.com …2-22_0008_P2.jpg&lb=1&s=​A

IMAGE LINK: http://harveyg.smugmug​.com …2-22_0009_P3.jpg&lb=1&s=​A

NICE shots! Clarity and clean shots as well looks to be a great match on your Mk III.

I'm just a bit jealous

A Christmas ghost appears! Hiya, Harv Sorry to hear things have been difficult, but it's great to see you back!

Those are some really nice RTH images there, and the MkII really does look like it's going to turn out to be a fairly iconic piece of hardware for the fin/fur/feathers crowd

& i want that lens SOOOOOOOOOOOO bad,,,nice pics, ?
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Ron

Got that right Ron

Well done. Very sharp, clean shots. Congrats on the lens.

Excellent shots. It's so awesome when you have a cooperative test subject, too.

very well done- I am jealous of the shots and the equipment

Very nice Harvey, really shows off the lens.

Mike

that last one is truely spectacular

Michiel

So nicely done, Harv, glad your hawk was in a cooperative mood, and hungry! Wonderful shots.

Fantastic shots!!!! I would love to see a Red Tail in action with a squirrel!

The clarity of these images...outstanding!

blackchrome wrote in post #17350193
NICE shots! Clarity and clean shots as well looks to be a great match on your Mk III.

Thanks. They do appear to play well together.

Pondrader wrote in post #17350195
I'm just a bit jealous

No reason to be jealous but I appreciate you looking in.

Snydremark wrote in post #17350198
A Christmas ghost appears! Hiya, Harv Sorry to hear things have been difficult, but it's great to see you back!

Those are some really nice RTH images there, and the MkII really does look like it's going to turn out to be a fairly iconic piece of hardware for the fin/fur/feathers crowd

Thanks, Eric. Good to hear from you. I agree. I also think it will be.

Ronnie H wrote in post #17350200
& i want that lens SOOOOOOOOOOOO bad,,,nice pics, ?
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Ron

Thanks, Ron. If you are able to acquire one, I don't think you would be disappointed.

Pondrader wrote in post #17350204
Got that right Ron

See above.

2n10 wrote in post #17350291
Well done. Very sharp, clean shots. Congrats on the lens.

Thanks a lot.

ldn323 wrote in post #17350333
Excellent shots. It's so awesome when you have a cooperative test subject, too.

Thanks. Yes, a cooperative subject certainly helps.

CaptBob wrote in post #17350467
very well done- I am jealous of the shots and the equipment

Appreciate the kind words.

Pike40 wrote in post #17350524
Very nice Harvey, really shows off the lens.

Mike

Thanks, Mike. It is certainly working as I hoped it would.

mikeeagle wrote in post #17350532
that last one is truely spectacular

Michiel

Thanks a lot.

Wallace River wrote in post #17350541
So nicely done, Harv, glad your hawk was in a cooperative mood, and hungry! Wonderful shots.

Thanks a lot, Ian. Appreciate the kind words.

ptcanon3ti wrote in post #17350545
Fantastic shots!!!! I would love to see a Red Tail in action with a squirrel!

Thanks a lot.

SJC from VT wrote in post #17350696
The clarity of these images...outstanding!

Thanks you.