Quite a beautiful raptor!

I happened across this one and one of its siblings as they were perched on a utility pole northeast of Denver on Saturday. They were intently watching a magpie that was playing with something on the ground. The hawks, never ones to turn down an easy meal, chased off the littler bird and claimed their prize.

Unfortunately for them, it was nothing but a piece of trash so they lost interest quickly. However, it worked out well for me as I got a nice shot of one of them as it sat debating where its next meal was going to come from.

One of the red tails from a nest that is not far from my favorite bald eagle nest. While the hawks and eagles share territory, they seem to get along surprisingly well as I have never seen either pay the other any attention.

On this morning, one of the hawks perched in a nearby tree for a while and I happened to be ready when it launched. I really don’t like the busy background on this image but it does show some neat action and despite being a long ways away, the hawk was clearly focused on me.

A red tailed hawk giving me a bit of attitude Sunday. 😉 

Not sure why this guy was hanging out on the ground as it didn’t have a kill but it was quite content to just hang out. Well, at least long enough for me to snap some pics of it giving me the stink-eye.

Sometimes you get lucky and the wildlife comes to you. Hiking along the South Platte River last weekend, I stopped to take a break and just kind of soak in the quiet and the natural beauty around me. As I sat on a log, this red-tailed hawk began circling, clearly hoping to find a meal.

I was not on the menu, thankfully, and it seemed to be entirely unaware of my presence. It circled multiple times, some no more than 30 feet over my head. This allowed me some great captures, including this one. I really love the focused look and glint in its eyes. It wasn’t till I got home that I noticed it was missing a few tail feathers which looks a bit odd but still a beautiful raptor.

A common but very cool raptor. I see these guys all over the place and oftentimes am a bit dismissive of them, never lifting my camera to take a picture. On this morning though, this particular one was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.

It was perched at the top of a relatively short tree, quite in the open, allowing for a chance to get some nice shots. After giving me a number of poses, it decided the photo session was done and took flight – this image showing one of an entire sequence I captured. Taken at Barr Lake State Park, Colorado.

As I returned to suburbia yesterday after my morning photo drive, I thought my photo day was done. However, I happened across this cool raptor hanging out on the remnants of a dead tree.

I quickly flipped a u-turn and pulled out my camera to grab a few shots. Red-tails are notoriously skittish and this one was no exception. I did manage a few quick shots of it posing and then this one as it launched into the air.

Taken in Thornton, Colorado.

A different look at a very common raptor. Oftentimes I just drive right by red tails as they are prevalent but not often willing to sit for pictures.

On my way home the other day I happened across this one that sat nicely as I drove by. I decided to give it a shot and after giving me some nice poses, it launched into the sky.

Taken in Weld County, Colorado.

It is hard to get moving in the morning sometimes and this cool raptor sure was struggling on this morning last weekend. With its eyes half-closed, it clearly was in no rush to go anywhere and seemed to have the right idea for a nice, relaxing weekend.