This is a wild redtail hawk that was extremely kind to me for a bout 45 min. It was one of those days that I figured I wouldn't get any good pics b/c it was pouring down rain, but I decided to go out anyway in hopes that it would stop raining....well it didn't but I was rewarded with one of my better subjects I've shot in the wild. She was extremely kind to me, allowing me to follow her around a small area as she flew from tree to tree scooping an open field. She perched at eye level on many occasions, letting get within 10 feet of her. She really just accepted that I was there and wasn't going to mess with her, she was an amazing bird.
I watched her snatch what I believe were frogs out of the rain soaked field on a few occasions, very cool.
This is the same hawk that I entered in the Rock Song Title challenge and in the Fauna Challenge . Personaly the fauna challenge shot is my fav since you can see her shaking off the rain but this one poised to do better in score, oh well.
Thanks to all for the comments and votes, truly a magnificent bird and day for me, these shots are why I dig photography, the unexpected interaction with such a beautiful creature. Cheers.
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What an amazing opportunity! Reading your description of how she let you follow her around and take photos - I can only dream! I love birds of prey -they are magnificent creatures and your capture of this one in photos is just spectacular!
Congrats on a fine shot, and great finish in the FS. Most birds do not like to fly much when they are wet, so maybe that is why she allowed you to get close like that.
I remember this guy from the fauna challenge... I don't blame you for making the most of the time you had with this guy.... they are not easy to get close too. Well done.
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