Had to get Gina to her pickup point early (6:00 AM) for her Saturday hike as this was up Mt. Wrightson (9400 ft) that we can see from our garden, and would be longer than their usual hike. Not bad for a 73 year old kid, especially coupled with her regular 25 mile Sunday bike ride. As I was driving home, shortly after turning into our neighbourhood, this Hawk flew past my car and landed on a shed roof about 40 feet to the side of me. I grabbed my camera, opened the door quietly hoping to lean on the roof and take some photos. It suddenly flew in my direction and I bounced around liked a cat on a hot tin roof pointing the camera at the Hawk who landed on a tree, a roof and the street lamp. I was happy the Olympus has built in camera IS as standing up my balance is not as steady as you youngsters, and I was as nervous as going after my first Pheasant with a 12 gauge. Took about 10 photos and the one here was taken against a white Adobe wall BG facing South and the bird side lit with the early sun.
This is the first Red-Tailed (A light Juvenile first year) I have seen in our neighbourhood in 18 years (We have lots of Harris's, Coopers, and Sharp Shinned), and it was a nice surprise.
All CC's welcome and always appreciated.
Uncle Gus
85 year old kid struggling with 30 - 40 mins per day on the gym bicycle machine
Olympus E-520 IS, Zuiko 70-300 ED @ 450mm
Aperture priority
F/5.6, 1/160s, 200 ISO, -0.30eV, Auto WB