Red-tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensis by amontanaview
Red-tailed hawk photo taken at the National Bison Range, Mission Creek, near Moise, Montana USA. 
MCN :: CAU4Y-VLMF4-B1MEW
Plumage is extremely variable, ranging from very light forms to very dark forms. The “typical” color phase is dark brown above and white below, with a band of dark speckling across the belly (belly band), and a rusty-red tail (paler underneath). Flying birds are white with brown barring underneath, dark brown edges around the wings, and dark brown shoulder patches.
The immature Red-tailed Hawks of all color phases and races look similar to the adults, except they have brown barred tails and more brown streaking over the rest of their bodies.
Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM lens (with tripod)
Canon EOS 7D, 1/6400s, f/4.0, ISO: 320, 500mm, Manual setting
Comments
1 Image per 24hrs 2011/12/10
Thank you!
– amontanaview
Lovely image, Merle. How are you liking the 500mm? Are you able to hand-hold for a couple of shots? Cat:)
Thanks Cat. Well, not exactly. I try to hand hold it but don’t have a lot of success. Sometimes I hold it with the help of my car, a fence or something like that but I use my tripod which is just barely beefy enough. It works but let me just say, I NEVER let go of the camera and this lens while it is mounted on the tripod. The rest of the answer is, I LOVE the lens…just need to practice with it a lot more. I have been able to get some pretty good Turkey Vulture photos…I will be sharing one or two soon.
– amontanaview
This was with the tripod. I should mention that in the notes.
– amontanaview
Thank you!
– amontanaview
Thanks for the info’ Merle. I think I will keep the 300mm f2/8 on my wish list ;-) Cat
Superb capture Merle!
Thank you. This one was a long way away, but with my new (used) lens, I was able to get this photo. I like it!
– amontanaview