Driving south, into the sun, I spotted this Red-tailed Hawk sitting on a branch on the opposite (left) side of the road. I went past the Hawk and turned around several hundred meters beyond the tree where the Hawk was perched, the sun now behind me. I slowly drove along the shoulder to within a hundred meters or so of the Hawk, thinking, there's no way I'm going to get a shot of this bird.

Luckily, the Hawk was concentrating on something on the ground below. I grabbed my D200 camera with the 300 mm F4 lens + 1.7 T.C attached. Using a large tree trunk as a shield I was able to approach the Hawk to this tree which was located about 30 meters away. Using the tree trunk to steady the camera, I managed about a dozen shots. Following are a series of six shots from the initial back-view of the Hawk to it turning around, then taking off and finally catching a meal.

Top Image: Hawk glancing over its shoulder at me.


Hawk, having turned around, is now facing me but is concentrating on something in the field below.


Hawk taking off from the branch.


Hawk appearing triumphant in the tall grass seems to have captured something.


The Hawk suddenly jumps up and flaps its wings as though its catch is trying to get away.


DINNER TIME! The Hawk, however, flies away to consume its catch elsewhere.