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Red-tailed Hawk Taking Off For SkyWatch Friday

Red-tailed Hawk Taking Flight photo by Larry Jordan

I caught this Red-tailed Hawk taking off from its perch, or should I say it caught me taking its photo and took off.  The easiest way to ID a Red-tailed Hawk from below is the dark bar at the fore edge of the wing.  The adult will also show a light chest with a dark belly band like this bird.

But the best way to be sure of the ID is when the Red-tailed Hawk banks enough to see the top of its tail.  It then becomes obvious.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a great Skywatch Friday!  Go see the other great sky photos too!

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • kitty November 26, 2009, 11:45 am

    An impressive bird! I actually really like the taking-off shot – it’s legs look so powerful.
    .-= kitty´s last blog ..Skywatch Friday: Through the Fields =-.

  • Eaglesbrother November 26, 2009, 12:34 pm

    Simply fantastic shots of the Red tailed Hawk…we have some here I keep trying to get closer to for a better photograph..seldome succesful..as they are rather shy.

    Eaglesbrother
    .-= Eaglesbrother´s last blog ..Sky Watch Friday for Nov.27 =-.

  • John November 26, 2009, 1:02 pm

    Cool shots! I like how red-tails give the appearance of having landing gear.
    .-= John´s last blog ..SkyWatch: Magnolia =-.

  • Eileen November 26, 2009, 1:21 pm

    Happy Thanksgiving. Great shots of the Red tailed hawk.
    .-= Eileen´s last blog ..Egret tree and Skywatch =-.

  • Rune November 26, 2009, 3:00 pm

    Great shots! Happy SkyWatch 🙂
    .-= Rune ´s last blog ..SkyWatch 34 =-.

  • eden November 26, 2009, 3:47 pm

    Beautiful shots . Happy Thanksgiving
    .-= eden´s last blog ..Sky Watch Friday =-.

  • Tricia November 26, 2009, 7:04 pm

    Fantastic ‘In Flight’ shots!
    .-= Tricia´s last blog ..Sky Watch Friday – An October Evening =-.

  • Japa November 26, 2009, 8:24 pm

    Impressive shots of hawk and the skies.
    .-= Japa´s last blog ..Positive Economic Skies Over Embarcadero =-.

  • VioletSky November 27, 2009, 3:33 am

    You can really get a sense of his impressive wingspan at this angle! His body looks puny in comparison.
    .-= VioletSky´s last blog .. =-.

  • Elisabeth November 27, 2009, 3:40 am

    Congratulations on these shots…not an easy task. Very nice captures.
    .-= Elisabeth´s last blog ..SkyWatch Friday =-.

  • Nicole November 27, 2009, 9:01 am

    He’s gorgeous!
    Congrats on these beautiful shots!
    .-= Nicole´s last blog ..Rainy in Egypt =-.

  • Joe Todd November 27, 2009, 10:36 am

    Hawks and sky go together . Very nice
    .-= Joe Todd´s last blog ..SKY WATCH FRIDAY:: SKIES OVER LANCASTER,OHIO ON THANKSGIVING DAY 2009 =-.

  • chris November 27, 2009, 11:58 am

    Hi Larry,
    I’m so envious of your raptor pictures. I’ve almost never been able to get one, even of the common raptors in France. I guess one has to know them a bit to get these nice shots like yours!
    .-= chris´s last blog ..Here we are! =-.

  • Paula November 27, 2009, 6:38 pm

    Really cool photo and thanks so much for the birding tips, they’re very, very helpful.
    .-= Paula´s last blog ..Monochrome Weekly: Unfurling Banana Leaf & Two Announcements =-.

  • Debra November 28, 2009, 11:31 am

    These really are fantastic shots and I love the one of the hawk taking off! I am quite envious that you are able to get such wonderful shots of birds in flight. I’ve been trying to get a good shot of two eagles that fly over our house from time to time, but I haven’t figured out the right settings to have my camera on, so they are always just a little blurry. I’m wondering if I need a different lens too. Anyway, I am determined to get a good shot of them someday! 🙂
    .-= Debra´s last blog ..Skywatch Friday =-.

  • Scott November 30, 2009, 5:01 pm

    Were these shots captured at your home? If so quite jealous.

    Heather and I went birding along the levees on Sunday and saw quite a few red-tailed hawks. Just love them!