Red-Tail from a far

[crimbfighter]

I stalk a local Red-Tail Hawk whenever I can, well I probably stalk four or five in the area, but they are hard to get close to. When they're far away and I can't get close, I hate to walk away with nothing, so the other day I managed to get a few images as it flew around hunting. I also love the way Hawks buzz the ground as they fly. I think they do it for fun, cause let's face it, if I could fly I would!

D500, 200-500 f/5.6 @ f/5.6, 500mm, 1/3200 sec, ISO 250 and 220 respectively

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[tirediron]

Channeling his inner snowy owl?

I really like #1; though maybe crop a bit of the RH side and top?

 

[Low_Sky]

They're using ground effect. They get a bump in lift by flying close to the ground. It's a real thing, google it, neat stuff.

 

[crimbfighter]

Channeling his inner snowy owl?

I really like #1; though maybe crop a bit of the RH side and top?

Quite possibly! I probably could, but I'm afraid that the lack of sharpness will really start to show if I go in any tighter. It's already a decent crop.. but I agree with your suggestion, i think it would add a bit more feeling if motion in the frame. I'll see what it looks like.

They're using ground effect. They get a bump in lift by flying close to the ground. It's a real thing, google it, neat stuff.

That makes sense. Aircraft are the same way. Once you get within one wingspan's height from the ground it starts to add extra lift.