"white" Hawk

[Michael Lloyd]

I'm not sure but I think this is one of the phases of a Red-tailed Hawk. Confirmation or correction would be appreciated.

On a side note- I typically pick my camera up by the lens when I am using the 600 f4L IS. The bird had spooked from it's power pole perch and to my delight it flew away and then turned around and made a pass in front of me. I reached for the lens and "clunk" the camera fell off and hit the floor :eek: :cool: I quickly grabbed the camera, spun it back on the lens and took a few shots. It turned out (after nearly dropping the camera a few more times) that the screws in the TCII were backed all the way out. Only one was holding the mount ring on. I didn't find that out until I got home. Might be worth checking the screws on your TC out if you have / use one.

600 f4L IS w/ 1.4x TC-II somewhat attached
EOS 1DMKIII
Handheld

ISO 400
f6.3
1/400

[John Chardine]

Michael- None of the phases or variants of the Red-tailed shown by Sibley match yours- all are too dark on the top side so I think you might have a leucistic bird. Leucism in animals refers to a reduction of pigments in the skin/feathers etc.

Nice tip on the tc.

[Michael Lloyd]

Thanks John, I noticed that in Birds of North America Online too. Here's another shot with a better view of the tail and top of the wings.