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Red-tailed hawk and a vole...caution

Discussion in 'Birds' started by Chip, Dec 30, 2005.

  1. Chip

    Chip

    460
    Oct 13, 2005
    WA
    Hey folks,
    Hope your weather has been better than here in Washington. The 10 day forecast has rain and overcast everyday. I had to get out and shoot though.

    I saw this hawk today sitting on a gazebo type structure looking into the grass. He let me drive right up to him, then he took off for the grass below:I got out and rested the lens on a wood rail under the gazebo and got maybe 2shots off. All with 300 2.8 and TC 1.7.

    1/200s f/5.0 at 500.0mm iso400
    original.


    He flew back to the shelter right above my head with a large vole, so I got back in my car and shot from the window ledge and beanbag.
    1/320s f/6.3 at 500.0mm iso500
    original.

    I had time to take the tc off and shoot the 300 straight.
    1/250s f/5.0 at 300.0mm iso200
    original.

    I tried to dial down the ISO for a clean shot and he started ripping at this meal hence the motion blur.
    1/60s f/5.6 at 300.0mm iso100
    original.


    It took him about 8 minutes to finish this guy off. He was still sitting there when I drove away. What a cool thing to see.
     
    Chip, Dec 30, 2005
    #1
  2. Flew

    Flew

    994
    Jan 25, 2005
    Alabama
    Excellent shots Chip. This kind of opportunity doesn't come along very often, and you were certainly well prepared. :smile:
     
    Flew, Dec 30, 2005
    #2
  3. Johntu

    Johntu

    539
    Jul 4, 2005
    Fremont, CA
    Wow, awesome capture, pictures are so clear and sharp, you can see the guts of the mice every where.
     
    Johntu, Dec 30, 2005
    #3
  4. Chip

    Chip

    460
    Oct 13, 2005
    WA
    You are right Frank. To see a Raptor hunt and eat his meal right in front of me is really rare. Thanks for the comments.
     
    Chip, Dec 30, 2005
    #4
  5. Chip

    Chip

    460
    Oct 13, 2005
    WA
    Thanks John. Yes his sharp beak and powerful talons really did a number on the Vole.
     
    Chip, Dec 30, 2005
    #5
  6. helmet155

    helmet155

    582
    Jul 14, 2005
    South Orange County, CA
    Beautiful images and a dark morph RTH to boot!

    What cam body are you shooting with?
     
    helmet155, Dec 30, 2005
    #6
  7. helmet155

    helmet155

    582
    Jul 14, 2005
    South Orange County, CA
    Nevermind, just checked your pbase site...WOW...the owls you shot this month are amazing!!!
     
    helmet155, Dec 30, 2005
    #7
  8. Phil K

    Phil K Subscribing Member

    16,436
    Apr 30, 2005
    Hong Kong
    Beautiful capture, Chip.
     
    Phil K, Dec 31, 2005
    #8
  9. kramp

    kramp

    976
    Apr 20, 2005
    Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada
    Same weather here, awesome pictures, giblets are a bonus.

    Martin
     
    kramp, Dec 31, 2005
    #9
  10. dbirdsong

    dbirdsong Guest

    Great shots...
     
    dbirdsong, Dec 31, 2005
    #10
  11. radz

    radz

    735
    Nov 12, 2005
    NewDelhi,India
    Wow excellent capture.
    Sharp shots&cool composition.
     
    radz, Dec 31, 2005
    #11
  12. mike mac

    mike mac

    12,409
    Jan 25, 2005
    East Norriton, PA
    Very lcuky caputre and you did real well with the bad lighting
     
    mike mac, Dec 31, 2005
    #12
  13. MiriamJ

    MiriamJ

    2,196
    Dec 9, 2005
    High Desert, California, USA
    Nice, Sharp, Well-done captures. Good you were prepared.
     
    MiriamJ, Dec 31, 2005
    #13
  14. lowlight_junkie

    lowlight_junkie

    353
    Nov 28, 2005
    Gross, but really cool! Not one for blood but you have to appreciate the beauty of such creatures.
     
    lowlight_junkie, Dec 31, 2005
    #14
  15. james thiel

    james thiel

    8,350
    May 15, 2005
    Mill Creek, WA.
    Chip you did great. Bill and I went to the Skagit again yesterday. It was dark, dark and then darker!! Few eagles around but the boats chased them off pretty early. Are you seeing some good eagles on your beach? Maybe I need to make the drive over there. Yes, get that sun out. This weather is for the birds, not us photographers!!!
     
    james thiel, Dec 31, 2005
    #15
  16. bfjr

    bfjr Guest

    great Raptor feast shots
    very nicely done !!
     
    bfjr, Dec 31, 2005
    #16
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