Hidden hawk

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Hidden hawk

March 5, 2019 by Mike Powell

As I was walking along one of the trails last week at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, I glanced to the side and spotted this Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) perched at eye level on a tree that was really close. There was a lot of vegetation between us, but I managed to get this shot that did not have to be cropped at all.

Initially I did not think that I would be able to capture a usable image, because there was no way that I could get an unobstructed shot. I crouched down a bit and managed to find a kind of visual tunnel that provided a clear view of the head. The out-of-focus branches are a little distracting, but they provide the viewer with a sense that they are peering into the world of the hidden hawk.

Posted in Birds, Nature, Photography, wildlife, Winter | Tagged Buteo lineatus, Canon 50D, hawk, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Red-Shouldered Hawk, Tamron 150-600mm, Woodbridge VA | 15 Comments

15 Responses

on March 5, 2019 at 8:46 am | Reply Jet Eliot

I really like this tunnel effect, Michael, it lends a dreamy quality and you’re right, there’s an intimacy with the hawk here.
- on March 5, 2019 at 3:11 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Jet. I appreciate the confirmation about what I was feeling about the photo.
on March 5, 2019 at 9:27 am | Reply diannmeynor

He’s BEAUTIFUL !
on March 5, 2019 at 9:32 am | Reply joyroses13

Stunning! I still remember the day when I saw a large hawk perched on our light pole right outside our house. Its wings were spread out and it was just amazing.
- on March 5, 2019 at 3:12 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  It’s rare that we get a good look at a hawk, but when we do, it’s pretty memorable.
  - on March 5, 2019 at 7:25 pm joyroses13
    
    Indeed it is!
on March 5, 2019 at 11:14 am | Reply Dan Antion

Maybe hidden, but not from Mike.
- on March 5, 2019 at 3:14 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  I try to keep my eyes really active and somehow I detected an anomaly. I often will try to look through vegetation to see if I can find anything interesting.
on March 5, 2019 at 1:43 pm | Reply Laura (PA Pict)

Gorgeous shot of a beautiful bird. I really like the composition. In addition to what you describe – the idea of looking through the foliage to spy the bird – I like the texture of the soft focus background and the way that complements the texture of the bird’s feathers.
- on March 5, 2019 at 3:16 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Laura. The colors also all seem to work well together. It’s a little unconventional, but I like the shot a lot.
  - on March 5, 2019 at 3:41 pm Laura (PA Pict)
    
    Conventions are for breaking.
on March 6, 2019 at 7:17 am | Reply nliakos

Mysterious
I love the peering through the foliage idea
Beautiful shot
on March 6, 2019 at 3:19 pm | Reply Reed Andariese

Nice Mike! Always fun to see and photograph a hawk!
- on March 7, 2019 at 7:21 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Reed. It is particularly fun when I have a chance to see one at close to eye level. Usually I am looking upward at a sharp angle.
on March 11, 2019 at 3:58 pm | Reply Molly Lin Dutina

Amazing!