A Day With a Hawk

[RichK]

Woke up on Tuesday and it was too nice to stay in and work. So I took a few hours off and drove 5 minutes to Valley Forge. I was looking to get some decent photos of a red tail hawk. After parking, I didn't have to look far. This guy landed behind a tree and popped up right in front of me with this snake:

#1

#2

After it finished the snake, it posed for me:

#3

#4

As I followed it around for the next few hours, it buzzed by my head a few times. It was so close I could feel the air from its wings. Then, it let me get REALLY close. I actually had to back up for these:

#5

#6

All in all it was a lot of fun and I got to exercise a little.

 

[Recty]

Wow, those are really fantastic.

That hawk must see a lot of people, otherwise I cant imagine a completely wild bird letting you do that.

 

[PSam]

Great photos, #4 is my favorite. Lot of nice raptor shots lately

 

[IPT]

looks like a big earth worm actually....

Killer images. Love the silky smooth background in the first few. Really helps keep the focus on the bird and it's textures/colors. Nice use of a great opportunity.

 

[Misled]

Very Sweet Rich!!!!I really like the pose shots, 3 & 4. Very statuesque.