Talons

If you can assist me in identifing this bird I would be grateful.

Thanks in advance. This was taken on the California coast just north

of Jenner if that helps.

Looks like a Harris Hawk to me? But I could be wrong?

 

Excellent Image!

Thank you Paul. I appreciate the info.

Nice shot Larry.

Thank you Jim.

Beautiful ! Nice shot!

 

Best Wishes Andrea

Thank you Andrea.

Hi larry nice shot here, although i would have preferred more details, welldone, regards, RK!

Thank you Rafik.

Nice bird shot Larry, good shallow DOF that accentuate the bird's details. good color range as well.

Thank you Pnina. I wish I knew what kind of bird this was. Someone thought it was a Harris Hawk but the beak coloration isn't quite right for that species. Besides a Harris Hawk is a desert bird and Sonoma County in California is definately not a desert enviroment. One thing is for sure, it doesn't have much fear of people. It acted like it couldn't have cared less that I was there.

Hi Larry, nice shot with a very nice background showing just enough detail to show its habitat.

 

From my field guides there look to be a few choices but I think is just a red-tailed hawk in the dark phase. Not sure about the yellow legs though. Maybe a Merlin (?) but I don't think so.

 

Anyway, and again, nice shot.

Thank you Jamie. I was driving along the Northern California coast when I saw this guy sitting on that post by the side of the road. I didn't have my long telephoto with me but I really didn't need it.

 

I was amazed at how this bird tolerated my presence. This was taken from a distance of 20 feet or so. I have never had a hawk in an open environment let me get that near. I think I could have gotten closer but I didn't want to push my luck or stress the bird.

That's really close! It resembles the red-tailed hawks I see, but I'm no bird expert. Lovely!

Thank you Kim. It probably is a red tailed hawk. But then I am no expert either. :)