Red-tailed Hawk juvenile

[Bill Dix]

I was just setting up the other day to photograph the little passerines around my feeder when a dark shadow appeared overhead and this guy landed on a tree right next to me. I would have done better without the 1.4x; I was lucky he just managed to fit in the frame (I added a slivver of canvas on top). POV is a little steep; I doubt he would have waited for me to fetch the ladder. I pished to get him to turn his head, but this dorsal view was all he gave me before he took off. I posted this earlier today to the About Birds forum to confirm my ID, but then this afternoon he came again and I got a better look which confirmed my suspicions. In fact, when I looked out a few minutes ago in the darkening gloom he was still out there. Removed a small oof branch, and lightened up his shaded side a bit. C&C appreciated.

D7000, 700mm, ISO 800, 1/1600s @ f/8 manual.

[Nick Palmieri]

Nice job getting this guy. I like the pose as it shows the nice feathers on his back. The BG is sweet.

[jack williamson]

Plenty of detail, I like the head turn, the BG is very nice. The angle looks fine to me.

[Karl Egressy]

Great looking back pose, excellent feather details and nic clean background, Bill.

[Joe Senzatimore]

Over the shoulder look works well Bill. Love the BG. A stroke of luck.

[David Salem]

Nice pose with the look back. Exposed well and great feather detail. Love the sky BG with the clouds. Well captured

[Daniel Cadieux]

Nice pose and look-back HA. I love the overlapping feathers, and the eye looks great. Steep angle you had does not look bad. Not super crazy about the OOF branches in the BG though. Bloody bill suggests a successful hunter!

[Bill Dix]

Thanks everyone. Paul Guris responded to my post on About Birds, and advises that he feels it is a Red-shouldered Hawk. This is based on the rufous patches on mantle and left primary, evenly streaked head, pale tail bands, smallish bill. I'll change my file name. I appreciate the comments.