White Tailed Hawk portrait

[Maestro]

In November when I visited Aransas NWR, I really wanted to observe and photograph one of these in the wild. It wasn't to be though. I did however have the opportunity to view this one at the Texas State Aquarium. Unfortunately, its injuries are such that it will never be released to the wild, but it is well cared for. Raptors, and many birds in general, have such regal appearances. This photo was shot through a wire mesh enclosure.

[I Have A Dream]

1. Beautiful! Thanks for sharing.

:)

[Maestro]

6. Thanks

:hi:

[texanwitch]

2. I just love your pictures.

What kind of camera do you have.

That is a great shot.

[Maestro]

7. Thank you so much

I now use a Canon 40D. :hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. My dear Maestro!

Wow, what a terrific picture!

How on earth did you get the wire mesh to vanish?

I can barely see it over the bird's magnificent head!

So damn regal!

Thank you for this...

:hug:

[Maestro]

8. Thanks Peggy

To get the mesh to somewhat disappear I just used manual focus to focus on the background instead of the foreground.

[TZ]

4. Pretty...

I have never even heard of White Tailed Hawks. Are they rare?

[Maestro]

9. They are not really rare, but they are not common in the US

They basically only ocurr in southern Texas along the coast on into the Valley area near the border with Mexico. Since they are uncommon in the US I was hoping to see one in the wild. It didn't happen, but I was glad to be able to photograph this guy.

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/White-tailed_Hawk_dtl.html

[bigwillq]

5. Awesome pic!

:bounce:

[Maestro]

11. Thanks Will

I sincerely appreciate how you take time to comment in my photo threads.

[YankeyMCC]

10. "Regal"

That is the perfect word. I've always found raptors captivating and 'regal' is the right word indeed.

[pitohui]

12. have you tried south padre island?

i got great looks at white-tailed hawk in a residential neighborhood there, been a few years though

sounds like you might be a texan so might be worth a try

by the way there's also a dump in south central louisiana where they occur quite regularly but i'm blocking on the name now

[Maestro]

15. Yep, I'm from Texas and I have been to South Padre.

The island had tons of birds, but the only raptors I saw the week I was there this summer were Harris's Hawks and Ospreys. White Tails make it all the way to La.? Cool.

[Ptah]

13. Again, your photography is a pleasure to see.

Thanks.

[Maestro]

16. Well thank you

I hope to continue to bring you more in the near future, but I am trying to plan my next get-away. ;)

[S n o w b a l l]

14. I'm always in awe of your photos

and enjoy them very much. Thanks for posting!

[Maestro]

18. Thanks Engi

I am hoping to be able to bring you some bald eagle pics soon, but I can't seem to get away from the house. It's something about my poor truck being at the mechanics again. ;)

[KT2000]

17. Wonderful picture

Thanks for posting

[Maestro]

19. Thanks KT2000

I genuinely like that you took the time to post. :hi:

[SallyMander]

20. GORGEOUS!

I really enjoy your photos. :)

[Maestro]

21. Thanks SallyMander

I hope to have more soon.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

22. simply majestic!! another superb shot from Our Dear Maestro.

Thank you kind sir :loveya:

[Maestro]

23. Meh, it's what I like to do.

:) Seriously, though, thanks. Going out and finding wildlife to photograph keeps me sane.

[Forkboy]

24. That's awesome. What a fantastic looking creature.

Thanks for sharing!!

[Maestro]

25. Any time.

Glad you liked it. :thumbsup:

[Kat45]

26. Beautiful!

I love your avian photos.

[brentspeak]

27. Good one!

Taken with the Canon Digital Rebel?

[blondie58]

28. oh, yeah very regal

I have often thought of raptor as the "kings of the aviary world." Great photo, Maestro.