Red-tailed hawk and a vole...caution

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

NIKON D2X    ---    500mm    f/5.0    1/200s    ISO 400

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

NIKON D2X    ---    500mm    f/6.3    1/320s    ISO 500

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

NIKON D2X    ---    300mm    f/5.0    1/250s    ISO 200

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

NIKON D2X    ---    300mm    f/5.6    1/60s    ISO 100

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.

 

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.

 

Thanks John. Yes his sharp beak and powerful talons really did a number on the Vole.