Chain of unlikely events led to close Redtailed Hawk encounter.

[dimitaretch]

The image can be seen here:

 

http://www.photo.net/photo/7794316

 

 

I wanted to share the story behind this shot as it is just amazing how a number of improbable events all at the right time and

right place happened and allowed me to take this picture.

 

 

Little background:

 

I live in one of the north suburbs of Chicago, which is pretty densely populated so this type of wild animals are not very

common – this is my first close with such encounter for more than 12 years. Also the picture was taken in my neighbor’s

backyard. It was close to 8 pm and the light was already very low.

 

 

Here is the chain of events:

 

 

1. My neighbor came back home from a vacation earlier than expected.

2. He found a drowned squirrel in the metal bucket – in the background.

3. Instead of disposing in directly in the garbage can (the same night was a night for collecting the garbage), for

some reason he left it temporary on the grass.

4. The hawk had spotted it and had came for a snack.

5. My “better half” was speaking on the phone and checking out our little garden in the backyard when she noticed

the big bird about 20 yards away. Initially, she thought that it is some big domesticated bird (turkey) and was surprised that

the neighbors would get one as this is not common at all around here. It was dark, in a dark corner of the yard, and the

hawk was with its back facing our yard, so at the first moment she saw just a big silhouette.

6. Then she saw it tearing apart the squirrel realized that it is a big raptor and ran back to our house to call the

professionals – that would be me :))))

7. I took the pictures initially with the camera leaning on the fence and later on a tripod about 20 yards away. There

were the 3 of us – my wife making video, my neighbor with binocular and me taking pictures for about 15 – 20 minutes as

the majestic bird was having a dinner not bothered by the “crowd” at all.

 

 

I took the picture with my EOS 30D and EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM + EF 1.4X II. ISO400, speed 1/15 at a second. I took

about 400 shots and as it was almost dark most of them were blurred. I couldn’t push for higher ISO as there is awful

amount of noise with anything higher than 400. At the end my camera gave up on me as it was flashing “busy” and the light

for writing on the flash card was constantly on, even after power off/on. Thankfully the existing images were not corrupt and

I ended up with a dozen of acceptable photos.

 

 

That was such a great experience and I will never forget the close encountered with this majestic Redtailed Hawk (Thanks

Monte for identifying the exact specie!)

 

 

Regards,

Dimitare

[phule]

[[i couldn’t push for higher ISO as there is awful amount of noise with anything higher than 400.]]

 

I don't mean to distract from the focus of a very neat event, but are you serious? On the 30D?

[lex_jenkins]

Nifty. BTW, the last time I saw a fox anywhere (I live in N. Central Texas - lots of coyotes, not many foxes), it was darting across a boulevard at dawn in a suburb north of Chicago. That was around 10-15 years ago when I was there on business. Predators and scavengers manage to survive surprisingly well in populated areas.

[dimitaretch]

Hi Rob,

 

I know the camera is supposed to be ok up to about 800 - however with mine this is not the case and it is already out of warranty. :) This is actually a good reason for potential upgrade. :)

 

 

Lex,

 

It is amazing how adaptable animals are. So far I’ve seen coyotes, raccoons, skunks, opossums, rabbits, squirrels and other small animals. But that encounter was nothing like anything before. It was sooooo COOL! :)))

[apetty]

Stories like this are what keep telling me to always have my camera on me. I am there 90% of the time. I just don't feel comfortable taking it to the can. I am getting over the phobia of shooting in food places though. I have others to concur after that one :)

[phule]

[[i know the camera is supposed to be ok up to about 800 - however with mine this is not the case and it is

already out of warranty. :)]]

<p>

A cameras noise characteristics will not change, and certainly not within the 1 year warranty. The 30D, IMHO,

has very good noise characteristics all the way through ISO 3200.

<p>

In my opinion, based on my experience with previous threads on photo.net only, if you're seeing excessive noise

in your images over ISO 400 then this is the result of user error. Perhaps you're underexposing and not

realizing that your RAW conversion software's default settings are making "best guess" adjustments to your

images? (This is something that has been a "gotcha" to a lot of Photoshop ACR users.) Anyway, this is a side

issue and not meant to distract from the original purpose of your thread. I hope you don't take any offense to

my meddling.

<p>

My only close encounter with a red tailed hawk was of him leaving...quickly

<p>

<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2185/1519360151_53e2218ad2.jpg">

<p>

Glacial Park Conservation Area , McHenry

[dimitaretch]

As I read somewhere – the first rule of photography should be – always have your camera with you. Otherwise, even if UFO lands next to you, it doesn’t count. :))))

[cmitchell]

It's kind of hard to see because it's so well camoflaged, but this is a picture of a coyote snacking on a deer carcase...in very suburban Newtown, Connecticut. It was in my brother-in-laws back yard. I was amazed to see a coyote there.<div></div>

[dimitaretch]

Thanks Rob!

 

I had some bad results and gave up - always tried to keep the ISO below 400. Your post makes me reconsider and I will do

some additional testing. I will be more than happy to redirect the funds towards longer lens (100-400) instead of a new

body. :)

 

Regards

[RobertChura]

You described almost exactly what happened to me if Fort Worth Texas about 2 years ago except I could never get a shot. I live in a suburban house on the west side of town.

 

Mine started with a dead possum and 2 buzzards came after it for a day or two (which my girlfriend referred to as "Turkeys" then what I could only describe as a eagle (too big to be a hawk) swooped down and claimed the carcass. It was amazing to view. If the eagle saw us peering out of the blinds he would fly away.

[dimitaretch]

Hi Christine,

 

Another non-orthodox backyard photo! This is great!

 

 

Bob,

 

"Glacial Park Conservation Area , McHenry" is relatively close to where I live and would be a perfect one day gateway trip. From your experience, would you recommend the place?

[phule]

I've only been there the one time and happening upon the red tailed hawk was something of a fluke. It's pretty wide open and it's definitely a place I want to visit again. So, I guess it's a qualified "yes." :) It's 3100 or so acres so certainly there are excellent opportunities for photography.

[Ian Shalapata]

Dimitare,

 

Nice story of serindipity and congrats on the capture.

 

I guess Chicago is the new Yosemite.

[lex_jenkins]

Robert, you probably saw turkey buzzards (vulture). Very common around here (I'm in Foat Wuth). They're huge, with weird heads that do resemble a turkey's.

 

http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=483421

 

Occasionally I'll see true hawks and other wildlife, not too unusual on the west side of Fort Worth since there are large open pastures only a couple of miles away and several vacant lots in our residential area..

[tdigi]

Wow great story and captures. I also live in Chicago so now I will have to keep my eyes open. I would never expect to see

that in Chicago.

[dimitaretch]

GUYS - you will NOT believe this! There must be a raptor convention in my backyard. It is insane!

 

I just went outside to wait for my daughter school bus and saw a different bird - much smaller one. I ran back in the house and got my camera. I was able to take 2-3 good shots of the beauty - this one is much smaller and I will need some help to identify it again.

 

Let me just make some minor adjustments in PS and I will post them. :) :)

 

LIFE IS SOOOOO.... GOOD!

 

There are tough times ahead of me - my budget will plunge down. I just have to get this 100-400 lens. :)

 

Dimitare

[dimitaretch]

Here you go:

 

http://www.photo.net/photo/7800114&size=lg

 

http://www.photo.net/photo/7800113&size=lg

 

:)<div></div>

[dimitaretch]

Here is the second image:

[knobby6]

Looks like a Cooper's hawk. Probably you are being more observant now that you have seen the red-tailed hawk. Most urban areas have lots of raptors, you just have to be looking for them. I live in Los Angeles, and I see red-tailed hawks, Coopers, peregrines, red shouldered hawks, ospreys, and even great horned owls, but I am always looking for and seeking them out. You certainly could use more glass to shoot raptors, and money wise probably the 100-400 or the 400 5.6 lens might be good bets. But be careful, shooting birds can be habit former. Most people I know that shoot birds are beyond the hobby stage, they are obsessed.

[dimitaretch]

Hi Monte,

 

Thank you for your expertise one more time!

 

Yes! I am definitely filling the adrenalin surge! It is just great! :)))))

 

Warm Regards,

Dimitare

[RobertChura]

Les, we did see two turkey vultures but they were run off by what looked like a Bald Eagle. They are known to roost near Llano county and probably were passing my way at the time.

 

I was just like a National Geographic week all in my backyard.

[manuel barrera houston,]

got this one (red tail hawk) about 4 weeks ago, have a pair of ospreys that visit in the winter, hope to catch them this year, they spook easily have never been able to get closer then about 50 yards,

[manuel barrera houston,]

darn could not upload, let me try again, failed to state that this by my yard, my property butts to a bayou<div></div>

[dimitaretch]

Manuel,

That is a great shot!

[Stock-Photos]

My son came home from school and claimed "Dad, there's a hawk down the street eating a squirrel!"

 

The best shot from that event is here:

 

http://www.photo.net/photo/5369325

 

I have sold rights to it and you'll find the photo on page 315 of this book:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Sustaining-Life-Health-Depends-Biodiversity/dp/0195175093/

 

(you can search inside the book for page 315 if you have an amazon account)