Normally when I see hawks, they are perched high in the trees, but last week I was fortunate to spot perched relatively low in some vegetation in a field at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. When you have to shoot upwards at a sharp angle, you don’t miss a lot of details on the bodies of these beautiful birds—in this case I was able to shoot at a much lower angle at which I was almost eye to eye with the hawk.
The hawk, which I am pretty sure is a Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) was quite tolerant of my presence and allowed me to get shots from several different angles before it flew away. The middle image in particular suggests that it was well aware of my presence, but did not view me as a threat. I really like the way that I was able to capture the different colors and patterns in the feathers on the various parts of this hawk’s body.
If you compare the three shots, you can see how a subtle movement of a bird’s head or body position can alter the feel of the image in much the same way that a change in facial expression does with human subjects. The major difference, of course, is that you have a bit more control over your subject when it is a person. I must admit, though, that I sometimes try to telepathically instruct a wild subject, but it rarely seems to work.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
That middle pic is really nice Mike! Btw and fyi, I thought I’d mention to you that I’ve joined a Lenten book study (via Zoom) exploring “Natural Theology”, a way of seeking God in nature through a series of short meditations. The book is ‘Lent is Not Rocket Science’ by Bp Knisely who’s leading the study (he’s taught cosmology/physics at Uni level). Wed nights US-time, 7pm. The link for more info is at his blog: https://entangledstates.org/2022/02/28/lenten-book-series/ and he’s ok with folks dipping in and out, so missing the 1st session isn’t a prob!
Thanks, Liz. I’ll check out the link that you sent me regarding the Lenten book study. I am still attending Compline services each weeknight at 8:00 pm via Zoom with some folks from my church and Wednesday nights are the nights when I lead the service, so I am usually pretty occupied right before the service. Take care.
Great shot Mike !
Thanks, Rudi.
Looks like you met him at just the right spot. Of course he watched you close, and you got ‘the look’. Nice 👏👏👏
Nice shots, Mike. Although the direct eye contact would be the choice of most, I like the first the better for the angle of the head, profile of that sharp beak, and light on the head and eye. But I’d be quite happy with any of them and congratulations on finding one at a helpful height.
Thanks, Steve. The first one is actually my favorite. In addition to the points that you mentioned, I really like the intensity of the hawk’s look at that moment.
I see many hawks~but to see them close up is a treasure. Beautiful captures!
Most of the time my first indications of the presence of a hawk is when I hear them crying out, often when they are flying overhead. It is amazing how the beauty of so many creatures is magnified when you have a chance to get close to them (or zoom in on them with a long lens, which was the case here).
Wonderful photos
Great photos, Mike. I love the second one.
Thanks, Dan. There is always something special about getting a shot in which the subject is looking right at you.
You have to wonder what he’s thinking.
These portraits are really stunning, Mike. I’d say, definitely a red-shouldered hawk.
Thanks for the confirmation. I always leave a little wiggle room when it comes to bird identification–I have been wrong often enough so I am never overconfident. 🙂
We see an off a lot of red-shouldered hawks here all the time. But if someone who truly has more expertise than I has a different idea, I would be happy to defer. ☺️
Very nice Mike! Always fun to photograph hawks!
Thanks, Reed. I’ll photograph a hawk every time that I have the chance. 🙂
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Whoa! ‘Bout the time that raptor looked at me like that, I would have been ducking for cover, not trying to get another picture! You ‘da man! 😉
WoW! ‘Bout the time that raptor was looking at me like that, I would have been ducking for cover, not trying to get another picture! You ‘da man! 😉